A total of 55 programs by performers from six countries and regions will be put on at the Poly Grand Theater in Jiading district of Shanghai this year, providing locals with a cultural and artistic feast, the theater announced on March 10.
The shows will feature dramas, music concerts, dance performances and children's plays, all of which will be performed by famous art troupes, catering to audiences of all ages.
Dramas
Russia's Moscow Pushkin Drama Theatre will perform two dramatic plays based on the country's literary masterpieces – Marriage by Nikolai Gogol and three short plays The Bear, A Marriage Proposal, and The Anniversary by Anton Chekhov.
Tian Qinxin, a veteran Chinese drama director, will reveal her latest work Hero 24 Hours, a story about Chinese heroes.
The historical drama The Empress of China, in which a prestigious Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing stars, will make its debut in Shanghai. Liu also rose to fame for the play's TV version twenty years ago. The drama has toured around the world for more than 150 times.
Other dramas include The Lost Tomb based on the Internet novel of the same name, two comedies by the Beijing Kaixin Mahua Culture Development Company, and a South Korean musical comedy.
Music concerts
Music fans have the opportunity to enjoy many different styles of music this year, such as symphonies by the New York Philharmonic and Denver Philharmonic Orchestras from the US, and jazz music by European trumpet player Arielle Besson, as well as music performance by China's art troupes – Shanghai's Jupiter Chamber Orchestra and Xintian Symphony Orchestra.
A global concert with the theme "Sound of the Orient" will be given by the China Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble. The concert will consist of classical songs from different countries and regions, such as Europe's Edelweiss and Casablanca, Russia's Katyusha, and China's Songhua River and Nanniwan.
Also, the representation of classic Shanghai songs from the 1930s and 40s, as well as the late Taiwan-born singer Deng Lijun's songs will help audiences reminisce about old times.
Dances
Todes, a world-renowned Russian dance group, will visit Jiading to perform for audiences and reveal the charm of the dance. Its show will be a mix of ballet, jazz, disco, ballroom dancing, breakdance, and hip-hop.
A dazzling shadow dance show, named Shadow Space, by a group of Ukraine artists will surely be unique viewing for the audience.
Visitors can also enjoy a combination of fairy tales and dances, including One Thousand and One Nights performed by Russia's Kremlin Ballet and Alice in the Wonderland by a troupe of international belly dancers.
Children's plays
There are a lot of fun and entertaining performances for children this year, with many of the best plays from different countries to choose from, for instance, Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey performed by the Lightwire Theater from the US, and Kini's Journey to the Moon produced by China and South Korea.
Some musical plays such as Three Pigs, Three Lambs, and Three Fawns will also be on stage to brighten up children's faces.