A controversial East-meets-West crossover production is to hit the Beijing stage again.

Turandot has been given a Chinese twist by China Peking Opera House.

Since its debut in Beijing late last year, the show has divided audiences.

Some hail it as a breakthrough which propels the ancient Chinese traditional art into a modern age by introducing fresh elements. Others claim it has spoiled the image of Peking Opera by adding in foreign elements such as ballet dancing, pop songs and Western opera tunes.

From March 10 to 21, the story of Turandot will be staged again by Peking Opera actress Deng Ming and her colleagues from China Peking Opera House.

The opera, one of the five key Peking Operas created by the troupe in 2003, is testing the market with a 12-date run in Beijing.

Wu Jiang, director of China Peking Opera House is a respected Peking Opera expert who has closely followed the art for five decades. He believes Peking Opera can be appreciated as an elite art worldwide if Chinese artists are prepared to make bold and flexible adjustments.

Since its premiere, the new production has created interest amongst a foreign audience as well as artists and agents.

"An artistic director from Warsaw Art Festival watched the show with great enthusiasm," said Wu. "He intends to introduce the drama to a Western audience."

Artists and agents from Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Israel all showed interest in staging the Peking Opera, he added.

Admission: 120-580 yuan (US$14-70)

Location: Poly Theater, Dongsishitiao

Tel: 86-10-65065345, 86-10-65065343

(Beijing Weekend February 27, 2004)