Cultural celebration will include range of entertainment to attract enthusiastic audiences, Chen Nan reports.

The Chinese version of the musical, Monte Cristo, was staged at the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Beijing on Sept 9, kicking off a two-month-long performing arts season in the capital.

As part of the program of the Beijing Culture Forum, which was held in the capital on Thursday and Friday, the Chinese musical attracted a large number of followers, with six performances from Sept 7 to 10.

Adapted from the Russian musical based on the well-known French novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, the Chinese musical, coproduced by the Beijing Dance Drama and Opera, features Ayanga, one of the most popular musical actors in China, who plays the leading character Edmond Dantes, and Chinese actress Lou Yixiao playing the role of the heroine Mercedes.

"The musical genre is one of the most popular art forms among Chinese audiences, especially young people," says Dong Ning, deputy general manager of the Beijing Performance and Arts Group, adding that after the shows in Beijing, the musical will tour nationwide.

"The Chinese version of the musical gathers top Chinese artists and we are excited to open the performing arts season in Beijing with this musical."