Flower girl tells revolutionary tale

The tale of an oppressed flower girl in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea drew many tears when it was presented on stage, to Chinese audiences thirty years ago. The Pibada Opera Troupe from DPRK has brought its opera " The Flower Girl" to China for a return engagement. Following a spectacular performance in Beijing, the opera went on stage in Shanghai on Monday.

An hour before the opening, many stood eagerly at the theatre gate awaiting entry. Among them there were fans of the opera from long ago, who still could recall the melodies clearly.

Soon the theatre rose in a swelling wave of applause as the curtain lifted. For the first time in thirty years the DPRK opera "The Flower Girl" was set to begin, for the Shanghai audience.

The new series of performances has seen major changes in the sets, lighting and acoustic facilities. But audiences find the beautiful music and vocals unchanged.

An audience member said, "'The Flower Girl' was a title recognized by everyone back in the 1970's. And this reappearance of the opera is nostalgic for many of us who saw it back then."

There was a search for members of the original audience that watched " The Flower Girl" back in the Seventies. Those who sat in on the original performances were offered tickets at half price for the return engagement. But even the lowest priced tickets at 180 yuan, were still too dear for many, who had since retired and were unable to attend.