Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chinese opera
Chinese opera is a unique combination of song, dance, acrobatics and mime. It's highly
stylized, with every aspect of the performance, from costumes and make-up to
movements, imbued with a specific symbolic meaning, Colour is very significant, red for
example signifying loyalty and blue cruelty. Plots feature straightforward goodies and
baddies, often concerning young lovers who are forbidden to marry, supernatural inter
r
ventions and so on. The main barrier to appreciation for the uninitiated is the percussive
din of the accompanying orchestra. These days, with the fan base growing increasingly
elderly, in a bid to appeal to a younger audience shows have been shortened from four
hours to an hour or two, and include plenty of slapstick and martial arts.
There are hundreds of regional variations, such as Yue opera from nearby Zhejiang
province, Kun opera from Jiangsu and the local form, Hu. One of the few places in
Shanghai where you can hear these is the Yifu Theatre at 701 Fuzhou Lu (
天蟾逸夫
舞台
; tiān chán yì fū wu3 tái;
T
63225075), just east of People's Square. There's a
different show every night of the week and a brisk English summary at the start
explains the plot. Performances start at 7.15pm, and tickets, which can be bought
on the day, cost from ¥30 to ¥300. There are also some afternoon performances.
Majestic Theatre
美琪大剧院
m
"
i qí dà jù yuàn
66 Jiangning Lu, near Nanjing Xi Lu
T
62174409.
When it was built in 1941 this was one of
Asia's best theatres. Today, musicals are the
main fare, but the programme is inter
288 Anfu Lu
T
51695229.
Slick productions in
a modern auditorium; performances are
usually of classics or crowd pleasers.
Western plays are accompanied by English
subtitles on an electronic screen.
Shanghai Grand Theatre
上海大剧院
shàng h
i dà jù yuàn
300 Renmin Dadao
T
63273094,
W
www
.shgtheatre.com.
Popular contemporary
dramas, operas and classical ballet are all
staged at this lovely venue, which also plays
host to most of the visiting musicals.
Regular performances by the in-house
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (see
opposite).
spersed with some English language drama.
Shanghai Art Theatre
艺海剧院
yì h
i jù yuàn
466 Jiangning Lu, near Kangding Lu
T
64278199.
This airy modern complex
tends to show classical Chinese opera and
rather rusty old Chinese dramas.
Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre
上海话剧艺术中心
shàng h
i huà jù yì shù zhōng xīn
Acrobatics
Acrobatics have a long tradition in China and
acrobatic shows
are a guaran-
teed crowd pleaser. The style may be vaudeville but the stunts are spectacular - a
dozen people stacked on one bicycle and the like. Performances have a little bit
of everything: plate spinners, hoop divers, a comedy turn, jugglers and all sorts
of feats of gymnastics. Many of the performers will have been trained for their
roles since childhood in specialist schools.
Lyceum Theatre
兰心大戏院
lán xīn dà xì yuàn
57 Maoming Nan Lu
though. Daily performance at 7.30pm;
tickets ¥150-250.
Shanghai Centre Theatre
上海商城剧院
shàng h
i shāng chéng jù yuàn
1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Xikang Lu
62565544.
Acrobats in
spangly costumes are guaranteed to draw
some oohs and aahs; the juggler is rubbish
T
130
T
62798948.
