A scene from Hua Mulan, a dance drama brought by Ningbo Song and Dance Theater, which debuted in Changsha, capital city of Hunan province on March 12. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574]

Hua Mulan, a dance production by the Ningbo Song and Dance Theater, was performed in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan province on March 27.

Staged in the Sichuan Grand Theater, the show attracted over 1,000 viewers and won applause for six minutes and 21 seconds as the performers responded to multiple curtain calls.

Chengdu is a stop in the production's ongoing national tour. This was the second time the drama was staged in Chengdu, following its debut in the city on Sept 17 last year.

This year, the pre-sale box offices of the show's two performances in the city exceeded 1 million yuan ($153,846, according to official data.

The two-hour drama tells the enduring legend of Hua Mulan, who disguises herself as a man to protect her father from being drafted into the war.

Hua Mulan then goes into battle for 12 years, becoming a skilled and esteemed warrior of the Chinese army. But when the emperor tries to bestow honors to her for her service, the dutiful daughter retires and returns home to her family.

In December 2018, the drama was conferred the Lotus Award, the highest honor in China's dance circle.

Following the conclusion of the tour, the drama will return to the stage in Ningbo in early May, according to Yan Xiaoping, head of the Ningbo Song and Dance Theater.