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Majestic Theater maintain regal bearing through decades of uses and restorations
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THE Majestic Theater, originally a luxury hotel later transformed into a premier cultural venue, has played a pivotal role in Shanghai’s entertainment and political scene.
In the early 20th century, the hotel at the intersection of Bubbling Well Road (now Nanjing Road W.) and Gordon Road (now Jiangning Road) emerged as a haven for Shanghai’s elite.
The hotel was transformed from the McBain Garden, a typical example of neoclassical architecture owned by George McBain, a director of the French Concession Municipal Council.
The grand structure featured a blend of brick, wood and stone, supported by ionic columns and large semicircular arches.
The hotel retained the lush lawns and gardens of the mansion, providing an opulent setting for its high-society guests.
The main building was a pseudo four-story European classical edifice. The interior boasted expansive banquet halls and a central dance floor that could accommodate up to 1,000 guests, making it the perfect venue for grand weddings, banquets and social gatherings.
On December 1, 1927, the hotel hosted what could be considered the grandest, most influential wedding of 20th-century China — the marriage of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling.
A 1935 advertisement in the English publication “Guide to Shanghai” stated: “Your stay in Shanghai will be incomplete unless you visit the Majestic Cafe.”
Despite its initial success, the hotel’s fortunes waned in the late 1920s. By 1941, the hotel had largely fallen into disuse.
Seizing an opportunity, the Shanghai Asia Cinema Company repurposed part of the hotel’s site to create a new cultural landmark — Majestic Theater. It was designed by renowned Chinese architect Fan Wenzhao.
The theater’s entrance resembled a colossal cylindrical tower. Inside, the circular lobby featured elaborate crystal chandeliers, dazzling lighted fountains and elegant bronze sculptures.
The main auditorium, with a capacity of some 1,600 seats, offered excellent acoustics and was equipped with state-of-the-art climate control.
The theater, which opened in October 1941, quickly earned a reputation as “the most advanced art palace in the Far East.”
Its debut screening was the technicolor musical film “Moon Over Miami” from 20th Century Fox. It was aptly chosen to reflect the theater’s Chinese name Meiqi, symbolizing “beauty and exquisite elegance.”
The theater was the premier venue for first-run Western films in Shanghai. Securing a ticket was a matter of pride for many residents.
Beyond films, the theater also hosted theatrical performances. Notably, the famed Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang made a triumphant return to the stage at the theater in December 1945, after refusing to perform during the Japanese occupation.
Following the liberation of Shanghai, the theater continued to serve as a venue for both entertainment and political gatherings.
In 1954, it hosted the first session of the Shanghai People’s Congress. The following year, Premier Zhou Enlai delivered an important speech to provincial and municipal Party secretaries at the theater.
In 1958, the theater was placed under the management of the Shanghai Culture Bureau and was transformed into a multifunctional venue for drama, dance and music.
The Shanghai Huju Opera Troupe’s “Sparks of Revolutions at Reed Marshes” was performed here for six consecutive months in 1964.
The theater was renamed Beijing Theater in 1966 but reverted to its original name in 1985.
In 1989, it was recognized as an “outstanding modern building” in Shanghai.
In 1999, in preparation for the inaugural China Shanghai International Arts Festival, the theater underwent extensive renovations to enhance its facilities while preserving its historical architecture.
Today, the theater remains a premier venue for opera, ballet and musical performances. It also serves as a site for cultural exchange, hosting both domestic and international events.
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