Belgium's beloved blue animation creatures, including Papa Smurf, Clumsy Smurf and Brainy Smurf, are returning to China in a live musical production, The Smurfs' Live on Stage. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Belgium's beloved blue animation creatures, including Papa Smurf, Clumsy Smurf and Brainy Smurf, are returning to China in a live musical production, The Smurfs' Live on Stage.

The original musical incorporates live actors, full-scale Smurf character costumes and puppetry in a 70-minute, two-act musical extravaganza. From Aug 4 to 7, the show will be staged in Shanghai as a celebration of the animation, which debuted in China 30 years ago.

The story is set in spring, the Smurfs' favorite time of the year, when the characters are busy preparing for the much-awaited annual Spring Parade. But the evil Gargamel comes up with a plan to bring an end to the festivities.

Presented by Singapore-based Millennium Entertainment International, the show is directed by John Rowe, produced by Nicholas Larkin and choreographed by Katie Kermond. It has been touring for two years in nine countries, attracting over 90,000 fans.

The Smurfs were created in 1958 by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford, known as Peyo, and have become some of the most beloved cartoon characters in the world, especially after the animated cartoon series was launched in 1980.