Beijing's newly established National Performing Arts Center and
the Meilanfang Grand Theatre entertained a steady flow of
theatre goers over the National Day holidays.
With more
arts festivals taking place on the Capital stage, the fan base
is growing rapidly for performances that would have been
dismissed as high-brow, only a few years ago.
International
troupes in array enter and exit this city's stages. The just
concluded 2008 International Folk Song Week, saw 24 overseas
bands sharing the stage with 14 domestic groups at the National
Performing Arts Center. For many people who live in Beijing, a
night out at the theatre is an established part of the social
routine.
Mr. Wang,
theatre-goer, said, "I find that attending a show is a chic way
to entertain. And the building's glossy exterior and lush
decoration is an attraction in itself for my family and me."
Ms. Liu,
theatre-goer, said, "I have found great personal benefit in the
theatre experience. It's enriched my life since I retired. And
it's also raised my understanding of the arts, including our own
Chinese arts and those from abroad." (Source: CCTV.com, Oct. 8,
2008 )
