Perhaps the most lavish original musical ever made in China, Butterflies will set the stage a-flutter this weekend. Two years in the making, the Beijing debut marks a milestone in the domestic history of the musical genre, with most of the big shows until now produced overseas. With a total investment of more than 50 million yuan, Butterflies brings together an all-star cast for this fresh expression of a classic Chinese legend.

Its directors are two renowned European masters, Gilles Maheau and Wayne Fowkes. Maheau, who helmed Notre Dame de Paris, will take the role of creative director in Butterflies, while veteran British musical actor and director Fowkes is the general director.

Chinese esteemed musician Sanbao has spent three years producing music for the play, while established writer Guan Shan and Xu Qing worked together on the script. Veteran singer Sha Baoliang and actress Siqing Gaowa star with 40 other actors, among them many winners of national singing and dancing contests.

The coming premiere will showcase the luxurious staging of Alain Lortie, lighting designer of Cirque du Soleil, Oliver Goulet, chief video designer of Dreamworks, and Chinese set designer Miao Peiru. They have cooperated to produce a dream-like stage spanning more than 1,000 square meters, with 200 imported LED lamps and a gigantic multi-media LED wall as large as a tennis court.

The musical retells the touching Chinese legend Butterfly Lovers, but is said to illustrate the old story in a new way.

"To make this performance perfect, all the actors have been through two years of hard training and rehearsals for the musical," said producer Li Dun.

After Beijing, the musical tours Shanghai, Harbin and Hangzhou.

Xiao Changyan

180-1,200 yuan. 7:30pm, Sep 11-20, Poly Theater, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng District. 6506-5345. , 14