Shanghai has its own troupe that performs Beijing opera. The
stylized singing, costumes, acrobatics, music, and choreography
of Chinese opera Songs accompanied with a five-note scale differs
that from the eight-note scale in the West). The plot of the
opera is usually a historical drama with a tragic outcome. The
performers' faces are painted with colors symbolizing qualities
such as valor or villainy, and masks and costumes announce the
performer's role in society, from emperor to peasant. Most Beijing
opera last for 2 hours or less. All of these combined with martial
arts choreography, acrobatics, and brilliant costumes, these
performances can bring delight even to the unaccustomed audience.
Regional operas, including the Kunju form, are also performed
in Shanghai. Kunju, born near Shanghai in the old city of Kunshan,
is the oldest form of opera in China, and Shanghai has China's
leading troupe. This opera tradition uses traditional stories
and characters, as does Beijing opera, but it is known for being
more melodic. Regular venues for opera include the following.
On the theatre and the stage, there are regular Acrobatics Shows,
a must for travelers to come and enjoy the show. These colorful
acrobatic displays never fail to amuse the audience. It features
all the impressive acts of Chinese circus usually packed into
one 90 minute show. Below is a directory of Shanghai's famous
acrobatics center.
Today,
Shanghai is no longer the center of Chinese filmmaking; as compared
to the 1930's and 1940's film industry, although the Shanghai
Film Studio continues to film some movie and television projects
and the occasional joint-venture film with foreign filmmakers.
At the same time, China limits the release of new Hollywood films
to just 20 a year. In the past, most of these movies were dubbed
in Chinese, but recently, some have been shown in Shanghai in
their original language with Chinese subtitles. 
The Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts in Chinese is called
Shanghai Gongyi Meishu Bowuguan. The Museum
is located at the People's Square in downtown area of Shanghai.
This magnificent three-story late French Renaissance mansion
was built in 1905 for the French Concession's Chamber of Industry
director. It became the residence of Chen Yi, Shanghai's first
mayor after 1949. 
Shanghai Arts & CultureShanghai has a thriving arts and culture scene.It has the biggest selection of theatre, film and art such us acrobatics, musicals, opera, dance, theatre, classical and contemporary music. New state-of-the-art theatres and auditoriums have attracted in recent years the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Luciano Pavarotti, Diana Krall, the Kirov Ballet, and touring companies of Les Miserables and Cats, among others. The shows are sophisticated enough to compete with most western cities.
Yifu Theatre (Yifu Wutai) This is the premier venue for Shanghai's opera companies. The Shanghai Peking Opera House Troupe, featuring some of China's greatest opera stars, performs here regularly, as do the Shanghai Kunju Opera Troupe and other visiting companies. Performances most nights at 7:15 pm; occasional matinees on weekends at 1:30pm. Address: 701 Fuzhou Lu, Huangpu, Shanghai Majestic Theater (Meiqi Daxiyuan) One of Shanghai's oldest and most ornate theatres.
Shanghai Circus World ( Shanghai Maxicheng) The new home of the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, this glittering arena in the northern suburbs houses a 1,672-seat circus theater with computer-controlled lighting, state-of-the-art acoustics and a motorized revolving stage. Address: 2266 Gonghe Xin Lu, Zhabei District, Shanghai Shanghai Centre Theatre ( Shanghai Shangcheng Juyuan) This luxurious, modern, 1,000-seat auditorium at Shanghai Centre is equipped for a variety of performances but specializes in performances by the Shanghai Acrobatic Theater, which almost nightly gives a 90-minute variety show featuring about 30 standard and inventive acts, from plate-spinning and tightrope walking to clowns and magic. Shows are held most nights at 7:30pm with some seasonal variation. Address: 4th Floor, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, Jing An, Shanghai The Great World Entertainment Center Address: 1 Xizang, Shanghai
Shanghai is the site of major national and international music, drama, and dance performances nearly every day of the year. The most frequent venues are Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre
In the last two decades, Chinese directors have made some of the best films in the world, but some of these still can't be officially shown in China. . Originated in 1993, the Shanghai International Film Festival every June attracts over 250,000 viewers to the screenings. Majestic Theatre Tel: (8621) 6280-6088 Paradise Cinema Address: No. 308 Anfu Road, Shanghai Tel: (8621) 6431-2961
For aficionados of Cultural Revolution (1966-76) history, it also served for a time as the residence of Lin Liguo (Lin Biao's son's mother-in-law), who tore down the glasshouse that used to be in the eastern section of the residence.After 1960, this became the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Research Center and its many rooms were converted into studios where visitors could watch artisans work at traditional handicrafts. Opened in 1996 for the public, this is the first museum in China that meets international exhibition standard. It has a collection of 123,000 cultural artifacts in 21 categories, mainly the exhibitions of painting, bronze, sculpture, ceramics, calligraphy, jade, Ming & Qing Dynasty furniture, coins, seals, and ethnic artwork. The bronze collection is said to be the best in world. Presentation and labeling are available in Chinese and English and lighting are first-class. The displays give an excellent introduction into the development of all facets of Chinese art and culture, from ceramics to sculpture and seals.Consider the English-language audio guide (RMB35) for a more in-depth presentation. Address: 79 Fenyang Lu, at intersection with Taiyuan Lu, Xuhui,
Shanghai |
