Old theater now base for modern works

One of the first theaters to be built in Beijing after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the PLA Theater used to be the venue for soldiers of Song and Dance Ensemble of the Political Department of the People's Liberation Army to perform for the nation and army's leaders.

However, since its renovation in 2005, it has become a public theater for a variety of performances. And in the last five years, the 800-seat venue has made a name for itself presenting smaller contemporary productions.

This month the PLA Theater will join hands with the French Embassy and Wu Promotions, a leading performing arts agency in China, to present its First International Contemporary Arts Communication Festival.