One of Britain's leading contemporary dance companies is celebrating its centenary in 1926 with highlights that include a tour of China. 

Ballet Rambert performed there back in 1957. This time around, it's bringing its interpretation of a smash-hit British TV show.

The oldest dance company in England, founded in 1926, Ballet Rambert introduced classical ballet to a wider public before evolving into one of the country's leading contemporary dance groups.

It has performed in China several times and more recently run dance classes there. Now it's going back to China as part of its centenary year celebrations.

Helen Shute, Chief Executive of Ballet Rambert, says it is important to acknowledge the company's international heritage.

She told CGTN: "We are a company that was born out of a Polish émigré coming to London from the ballet Ruse, to start the first ever UK company. 

"It felt particularly exciting to go for such a long time to a relatively new territory because we haven't been for about 30 years, so we are really excited." 

In fact, the links go back even further. The Ballet Rambert first performed in China in 1957, the first western dance company to visit during the Cold War. 

It took three days to get there and they ended up taking 27 flights throughout the trip.

The tour was a success and during their three months performing in China Ballet, Rambert were introduced to both Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai.

Back then the company performed two classical ballets and one contemporary dance. The latter had to be dropped, though, because local audiences didn't take to it. 

This time Ballet Rambert is taking its latest cutting-edge production.

Following its successful tour of the UK and Europe Ballet Rambert is taking The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, its stage adaptation of Peaky Blinders, to China.

Peaky Blinders was a popular television series in the UK and internationally on Netflix, though less well known in China.

The show features an on-stage band, with the music and songs helping the dancers portray this dramatic crime drama and love story set in the English city of Birmingham after World War I.

The choreography is directed by Benoit Swan Pouffer, Ballet Rambert's Artistic Director.

The Shanghai based production company organizing the tour normally books West End and Broadway shows. This is its first attempt at modern dance.

The three-week, five-city tour of China begins in March, though the company is negotiating to stay longer to take in more locations.