Musical marking New China's 70th anniversary opens festival

A new musical marking the 70th anniversary of New China's founding will premiere at the China National Theater for Children on July 6.

Stars in the Flame tells the story of children who lost their parents during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

It centers on the Battle of Songhu, also known as the Battle of Shanghai, which was one of the bloodiest conflicts during the war.

The work directed by Zhao Yu and composed by Wang Gang is the opening play of the ninth China Children's Theater Festival.

"We went to Shanghai and Wuhan to learn about the history," Zhao says.

"It was an unforgettable experience since we've learned many lesser-known stories, especially those about the orphans who fought alongside our soldiers."

Another children's play, based on Danish author Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale, The Little Mermaid, will also open the festival on July 6. The Chinese-Danish joint production is directed by Torkild Lindebjerg and composed by Dane Jens Tolsgaard.

The festival is staged annually during the summer vacation under the theme, "art changes lives".

From July 6 to Aug 11, 57 theatrical productions from 14 countries, including the United States, Japan and Russia, will stage 191 performances at the China National Theater for Children.