It’s a star! Theater wins rave reviews from locals
Print Edition
Shanghai’s strong dramatic arts culture has spilled over to smaller suburban houses like the Star Theater in Thames Town.
Though the theater in the Songjiang District seats only 240, it offers an exciting lineup of performances and is receiving rave reviews from audiences.
Since the theater had its soft opening last May, it has hosted 81 performances, including operas, concerts, dramas, dance and piano recitals. More than 20,000 theatergoers have passed through its doors.
In early 2013, renovation of the venue began, converting an auditorium in the Songjiang Urban Planning Exhibition Hall into a professional theater equipped with a stage, lighting and systems, digital film projectors and a grand piano.
“Running a theater is very complicated because it involves performance booking, ticketing, membership services, promotions and many other factors,” said Wang Zhixing, the theater’s director. “We have to do it well if we are to meet the needs of our audience from nearby neighborhoods.”
To start, the theater mainly staged local dramas produced by Songjiang drama clubs. The playbill included dramas such as “No. 7 Qijia Road” and the children’s play “Adventure to the Mouth.”
More varieties
After that, more concerts were organized, and stand-up comedians and films were introduced into the list of offerings. The theater has since hosted performances by foreign artists, including piano recitals and chamber music ensembles.
“I love orchestra music, but I always had to drive to downtown to enjoy live performances,” local resident Liu Huifang wrote in the Star Theater guest book. “Now I can enjoy the music I like on my doorstep, which saves me lot of time. The performances are all of high quality.”
The Star Theater is branching out. It hosted the Songjiang Poetry Reading Festival, the Songjiang Young People’s Night and the Sixth Shanghai International Youth Piano Competition.
“Ticket receipts and rents from other venue activities keep the theater viable financially,” said Wang.
Attendance has been running at an average of about 80 percent, but some of the seats are free tickets, Wang admitted.
“Performing arts in the district is not at a mature stage yet,” he said. “But there is great potential as the desire for culture improves. I believe watching live performances in a theater will become a popular pastime among Songjiang locals.”
Seeking professionals
Wang said a lack of professional theater personnel hinders progress somewhat.
“Every theater in China is seeking such talent, so there’s a lot of competition,” he said. “We are working with campuses in the Songjiang University Town to create programs to groom theater managers, and lighting and sound engineers. But it takes time.”
To acquaint more people with the new theater, the Star is going to offer some special tickets this year at the low price of 20- 40 yuan (US$3.30-6.50).
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