Dark Beauty thrills Chinese audiences

Sir Matthew Bourne was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of audiences in Shanghai as he visited China for the first time in late June. His company, New Adventures, is presenting Sleeping Beauty in Shanghai and Beijing this year, and he says he wasn't prepared for the passionate welcome from audiences he met at the Shanghai Culture Square, especially from young people.

"It certainly makes me think that we should come back again," says the award-winning choreographer, who is the only artist in contemporary dance theater that has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

The British choreographer's dance theater creation Swan Lake had a very successful round of performances in Shanghai and Beijing in 2014.