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It is said that Beijing is the place for intellectuals and artists, while Shanghai is where wealth creators thrive. But the financial shrewdness of the Shanghainese is only one of their many faces. Exposed to Western influences during the colonial times, people in Shanghai have nurtured and preserved a thriving theater scene despite unparalleled cultural changes and economic development over the past decades.
1) Shanghai Grand Theater
Located at People's Square in the heart of the city, the Shanghai Grand Theater opened in 1998. With its unique style and beautiful outlook, the theater has become one of the iconic buildings of Shanghai.
The theater is as grand in style as it is in size, with its 10 storeys occupying an area of 2.1 hectares. Designed by the much-lauded French architect Jean-Claude Charpentier, the theater - with its upturned eves mimicking traditional Chinese building styles and stunning glass faade - is nicknamed "Crystal Palace" by locals. The theater hosts everything from opera and ballet, to drama and Broadway musicals in its three theaters, which have a total capacity of 2,850.
On May 19, the Netherlands Dance Theater II will present three different performances at the theater - Gods and Dogs, Said and Done, and Chapeau.
Address: 300 People's Avenue
Transportation:
Metro lines 1, 2, and 8
Box office opening hours:
9 am-7 pm
Admission: Event prices vary
Tel: 021-6386-8686
2) Majestic Theater
Built in 1941, the Majestic Theater is one of the oldest theaters in Shanghai. The Chinese name for the theater in Chinese means "beautiful jade without flaws", which perfectly fits the reputation and status of the cinema. During the 1940s and 1950s, Mei Lanfang, China's most famous Peking opera artist of the time, performed here. The theater serves up a diverse range of regular performances such as opera, ballet, song and dance, and local/regional dance performances. It occasionally screens movies.
Until May 16, the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe will premiere My Dream VI, an evening of song and dance, which includes vocal solos, choruses, ballet, sign-language dance and ethnic dance.
Address: 66 Jiangning Road
Transportation:
Metro line 2 Nanjing Road W Station
Box office opening hours:
9 am-7 pm
Admission: Event prices vary
Tel: 021-6217-4409, 021-6217-2813
3) Yi Fu Theater
Yi Fu Theater, which was established in 1925, is the largest theater housing Chinese opera performances in Shanghai. Most of the country's famous Peking opera artists have performed here at one time or another.
In 1990, the theater underwent rebuilding and refurbishing, which was completed in 1994. It was again refurbished in 2004, when the latest high-tech theater facilities were incorporated. This has made the 1,000-seat theater even more attractive to Chinese opera troupes, particularly Peking opera performers.
Until May 16, the classical Shanghai opera Lu Xiang Nv, which explores the complex romance between a seamstress and a young painter and is set in the 19th century, will be performed at the theater.
Address: 701 Fuzhou Road
Transportation:
Bus No 14, 17, 18, 46, 96, or Metro lines 1, 2, 8
Box office opening hours:
9 am-7 pm
Admission: Event prices vary
Tel: 021-5353-0054
4) Oriental Art Center
Located on Century Avenue in Pudong New Area, the Oriental Art Center consists of seven main levels housing a philharmonic orchestra hall, with 1,979 seats; a lyric theater, with 1,054 seats; and a 330-seat chamber music hall.
It also houses an exhibition hall, music shops, a restaurant, an arts library and a multimedia and training center.
The building is covered by a cantilevered roof, linked by curved glass walls to the base. Highlighted by reflections and shadows, its shape changes as you move around it. It soars up from the ground and opens out to the sky above.
On May 18, the BBC Symphony Orchestra will hold a concert at the center, performing Michael Tippett's Fantasia Concertante on a Theme of Corelli, Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Dvorak's Symphony No 9.
Address: 425 Dingxiang Road, Pudong New Area
Transportation: Metro line 2 Shanghai Technology and Science Museum Station
Box office opening hours:
9 am-7 pm
Admission: Event prices vary
Tel: 021-6854-1234
5) Shanghai Concert Hall
Originally called the Nanjing Drama Hall, the Shanghai Concert Hall was founded in 1930. In 1949, it became the Beijing Cinema and, in 1959, it was renamed again - this time the Shanghai Concert Hall.
The Concert Hall was designed by a Chinese architect Fan Wenjiao, but it adopted traditional European style. It seats 1,122.
In order to make way for Yan'an Elevated Road, the hall was relocated in 2007. In an amazing engineering feat that cost 50 million yuan, the Concert Hall was hoisted 1.7 meters in the air and moved 66 meters east. The project was completed on Jan 1, 2008 and the hall reopened on Sept 26, 2008.
The Shanghai Jazz Ochestra will hold a concert in the hall on May 19, playing classical numbers that once dominated the city's radios and theaters, such as Evening Primrose, Nightlife of Shanghai and Shangri-La.
Address: 523 Yan'an Road E
Transportation:
Metro 1, 2, 8 People's Square Station
Box office opening hours:
9 am-7 pm
Admission: Event prices vary
Tel: 021-6386-2836
6) Dramatic Arts Center
The Dramatic Art Center hosts top English-language productions, including at least two works by Shakespeare every year. Tucked away down Anfu Road in the former French concession, it's an unexpectedly robust structure with an impressive theater.
The center now boasts a modern drama plaza with three separate stages: The Arts Theater, Drama Salon and Studio D6. It also has two rehearsal studios for all types of theatrical productions. Pulitzer Prize and Tony award winner Doubt will be staged in the center until June 6.
Address: 288 Anfu Road
Transportation:
Metro line 2 Changshu Road Station
Box office opening hours:
9 am-7 pm
Admission: Event prices vary
Tel: 021-6473-4567, 021-6474-8600
7) Shanghai Circus World
This modern arena for acrobatic and circus performances has a 1,638-seat circus theater with a revolving stage, computer-controlled lighting and state-of-the-art acoustics.
The venue plays host to a variety of large-scale magic, martial arts and acrobatic shows.
At 7:30 pm everyday, the multimedia theatrical acrobatics show, ERA Intersection of Time, is staged at Circus World. The 100-minute show includes Chinese acrobatics, martial arts and contemporary dance.
Address: 2266 Gonghexin Road
Transportation:
Bus No 46, 95, 114, 210, 253, 893, 912, 916
Box office opening hours:
9 am-7 pm
Admission: Event prices vary
Tel: 021-6652-5468
8) Lyceum Theater
Built in the boom days of 1930s Shanghai, this classic European-style theater began as a home for amateur dramatics societies. It has become a historic Shanghai landmark as one of the city's oldest theaters. The theater was refurbished in 2003 and is now equipped with advanced sound and lighting, and monitoring systems. The theater, with a seating capacity of 680, makes it ideal for drama, small-scale musicals and orchestral performances.
On May 29, the classical children's play I Love Clever A Fanti will be performed at the theater.
Address: 57 Maoming Road
Transportation:
Metro line 2 Shaanxi Road S Station
Box office opening hours:
9 am-7 pm
Admission: Event prices vary
Tel: 021-6217-8530, 021-6258-4832
(China Daily 05/14/2010 page40)
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