Dou Xiaoxuan plays one of the lead roles in the Peking Opera The Grand Mansion Gate.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Now, the story has been adapted by Li Zhuoqun, a 30-year-old director and scriptwriter, into a Peking Opera of the same name.

The show premiered at Beijing's Tianqiao Performing Arts Center over June 17 and 18.

It will go on a national tour, followed by shows in Japan and South Korea.

"When I got the idea of writing The Grand Mansion Gate decades ago, I thought of Peking Opera first rather than TV. But I did not pursue the opera option then because I could not find the right people," says Guo, 77, who is a big fan of Peking Opera and used lots of Peking Opera elements in the TV drama.

About two years ago, he saw Li's first directorial work, Yan Xijiao, which is about a love triangle comprising Yan Xijiao, a concubine, district official Song Jiang and Yan's secret lover, Song's apprentice Zhang Wenyuan.

Guo was impressed by Li's approach, which blends traditional techniques with a contemporary interpretation of the ancient art.