The Peking Opera masterpiece Tale of the White Snake has caused a stir halfway around the world in Sydney. The opera premiered as the Chinese representative at the Australia International Variety Cultural Festival on the night of September 25.

This year's international cultural festival was the 27th one ever held, but the first time it was attended by a China contingent, which decided to put on a performance of the classic opera Tale of the White Snake. Over 20 countries including the United States and France sent delegations to the event.

The show was put on by the prestigious China Peking Opera Theater and led by young artists Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu. To bring the western audience closer to the traditional Chinese art, the performers intensified the stage effects to make sure everyone in the Simon Theater had a good view of the show.

Tale of the White Snake is a tragic story of love between a snake spirit and a normal man. The fairy tale was told in the form of Peking Opera, and the predominantly Western audience were mesmerized by the outstanding performances of the Chinese artists, as well as their make－up and glamorous costumes.

The production of Tale of the White Snake is part of the country's efforts to bring the best of Chinese traditional arts onto the world stage.
 
(CCTV.com September 27, 2003)