China National Traditional Orchestra launches youth theater troupe

"Art can help children open up their imagination, and I hope there will be a place where children's creativity can be inspired and exercised. That is why we decided to established this youth theater troupe," said Zhao Cong, head of the orchestra. "In the past, our orchestra played folk songs and Chinese classical music. Now, we want to tell Chinese stories to the world."

This year, the theater troupe plans to launch an international tour to bring Compendium of Materia Medica to Turkmenistan, France and the United Kingdom, as well as major cities in China.

The troupe's new original play The Book of Odes, incorporating traditional Chinese music, acrobatics and magic tricks, will also be produced and premiere later this year.