Chinese stage play Goodfellas in 15 Days has its debut at Shunyi Grand Theater Wednesday.

Based on the eponymous novel by Ma Boyong, it portrays a prince from China's Ming Dynasty who has to flee for his life along the Grand Canal from Hangzhou to Beijing. As he experiences the plight of the populace, he resolves to be a leader that improves people's livelihoods.

The play will be staged in Beijing for three days at Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Beijing, according to CPAA Theatres. The next stops will be Shanghai, Shenzhen and Xiamen. According to theatres, the play will also be staged at Hong Kong and Macao next year.

To boost cultural confidence on the global stage, the play carries a patriotic theme, said director Clifton Ko from Hong Kong.