"Lao She put this concept of family and nation together, people experiencing this tragedy and hardship, and their resilience through an incredible part of Chinese history," Morton said.
At a pre-performance reception, Chinese Consul General in Sydney Wang Yu said the "masterpiece of modern Chinese literature" reflects the Chinese nation's "perseverance, solidarity and profound patriotism, carrying rich cultural heritage and humanistic spirit".
"The staging of this play in Sydney not only presents Australian audiences with a high-quality artistic feast, but also opens a window for our two peoples to better understand and appreciate each other," he said.
"In recent years, China-Australia relations have maintained steady progress, with people-to-people and cultural exchanges growing closer.
More outstanding Chinese cultural works have been presented in Australia, and more Australian friends have developed an interest in and affection for Chinese culture, Wang said.
He added that efforts will continue to "work together to bring more classic works across the ocean … and continuously consolidate the public support for China-Australia friendship".
