Based on a time-honored Chinese folktale, the acrobatic show “The Butterfly Lovers” will be staged in Shenzhen this weekend.

Produced by Guangzhou Acrobatic Art Theater, it will offer audience members a fresh and exciting experience.

Regarded as the Chinese equivalent of “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Butterfly Lovers” is set in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420).

Zhu Yingtai is a daughter of a wealthy family in Zhejiang Province. Breaking a tradition that prevents girls from going to school, she convinces her father to allow her to disguise herself as a man to study in Hangzhou. During her journey, she meets Liang Shanbo.

For the next four years in school, they study together and Zhu gradually falls in love with Liang who fails to notice that Zhu is a woman.

One day, Zhu’s father asks her to return home. A month later, when Liang visits Zhu, he discovers that she is a woman and they are passionate about each other. The joy of their reunion is short-lived because Zhu’s parents have already arranged for her to marry a rich man called Ma Wencai.

Liang is heartbroken, his health gradually deteriorates and he soon dies. Zhu descends into bitter despair and begs for the grave to open up. Suddenly, the grave opens with a clap of thunder. Without hesitation, Zhu throws herself into the grave to join Liang. Their spirits turn into a pair of beautiful butterflies. They fly together, never to be separated again.

Time: 8 p.m., May 14-15

Tickets: 80-680 yuan

Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater, Nanshan District (南山区深圳保利剧院)

Metro: Line 2 or 11 to Houhai Station, Exit E(SD News)