Xiong Xingbao (far right), general manager of the show’s main investor, with the main performers of the show. Feng Zhiwei / China Daily

"We were afraid that some people may see it as pure propaganda because of the theme. We were also worried that it may not be attractive, especially for the younger generation," Xiong says, adding there were such concerns when the show was conceived.

"So far the response has been good, and there is no voice of doubt anymore. We intend to carry out education about patriotism through stage art."

He says the show follows a strict historical context, but with artistic adaptations in terms of details.

"We don't want to make it look like a history textbook, or pure fantasy."

The show is directed by Li Hanzhong, who had been chief director of another successful live show in Xi'an city. The current show has a prelude and six scenes, which revolve around Mao's revolutionary experiences.

Starting with Mao leaving his village in Shaoshan as a young man, it concludes with the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China. It is strung together with stories about his early revolutionary experiences during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) and during the civil war that followed.

Xiong's company started to prepare for the show in 2012. They had several trial performances before it officially premiered, and continuously improved it later, he says.

For example, they increased the interaction between performers and the audience.

In a scene that's about the arrival of the Red Army in Yan'an after a treacherous strategic shift in the 1930s, the actors walk up to invite some of the spectators to join them on stage in their celebrations.