Peking Opera version of Pinocchio staged in London

A group of Beijing pupils on Saturday put a Peking Opera version of western fair tale the Adventure of Pinocchio on the stage in London.

Staged in the Mermaid Conference & Events Centre by some 60 pupils with Zhongguancun No. 1 Primary School, the performance was a part of a series of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Britain.

The original story of the Adventure of Pinocchio, wrote by Italian author Carlo Collodi, was a classic of children's literature and well-known across the world.

Saturday's performance is the first debut outside China of the Peking Opera rendition of Pinocchio, a work done by the Zhongguancun School's pupils earlier in 2013.

Yue Shunli, head teacher of the school, said by combining a western classic fairy tale with a traditional Chinese art form, the new version of Pinocchio provides a way for kids to return to traditions.

Extending festival greetings to the audience, Yue said she believed the Peking Opera rendition would help boost friendship between China and Britain.

The theatre was full with spectators, mostly parents and kids.

Lin Ying, who watched the opera with her two-year-old daughter, said she moved from China to Britain several years ago and Saturday's performance just well brought back memories about hilarious atmosphere during the Spring Festival in her motherland.

"It's excellent and awesome," said Curt Fahndrich, a resident of London. "We all know the story of Pinocchio, but what I like better is the interpretation."

Sam Mackover, Deputy Mayor of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, said he was impressed by children's color and energy during the performance.

"People are the same everywhere in the world, but they express themselves differently," he said. "After watching the performance, it make me want to visit China, because it is a distinguished way to bring the opening China to people here."