The dance drama "Peony Pavilion, " one of China's best-loved classical dramas, was staged Thursday and Friday at Wellington Opera House, fascinating New Zealand audience with the glamour of Chinese culture.

The romantic work, written by playwright Tang Xianzu in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), is one of the most important works of Kunqu opera and first performed in 1598.

The love story that unfolds between 16-year-old Du Liniang, the daughter of a wealthy official, and Liu Mengmei, a talented but poor young scholar, begins at the Peony Pavilion, and lives on today as an enduring story of forbidden love.

Du and Liu, who never met in reality, fell in love with each other and got married near the Peony Pavilion in Du's dream.

Presented by Jingling Dance Company, a highly acclaimed troupe in China, the new creation has been performed to full capacity audiences at the New York Lincoln Center.

Mixing classical dance, folk dance, ballet, hip hop, Kungfu and acrobatics with traditional Kunqu Opera, this play stays true to the core spirit of Tang Xian Zu's original work, in which freedom of love was forbidden in a feudal society of Southern Song, but was highly praised by the playwright.

Award-winning lead performances present the original aesthetic romantic interpretation with style, fantasy and colors.

The four-act performance with unique and wonderful feast of music, dance and stage design, all working in union to showcase this 'Romeo and Juliet' love story in a Chinese setting.

"Peony Pavilion" made it debut in Auckland last week and will be staged in Australia.

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