The French musical Notre Dame de Paris marks its 100th performance at the Shanghai Culture Square theater. [Photo/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The Shanghai Culture Square, a major theater in the city, continued to thrive as a hub for artistic performances in 2024, while further establishing itself as an incubator for original musical productions.
Throughout the year, the venue hosted 57 different productions, with a total of 334 performances. Both ticket sales and the number of performances reached new heights, according to statistics.
The total audience for the year hit 413,000 people, a whopping 44 percent increase on 2023, with an average seat occupancy rate of 80 percent, drawing visitors from across the entire country.
The venue also partnered with surrounding business entities to offer themed dining options, special events, exhibitions and exclusive merchandise related to major productions.
These partnerships not only attracted niche audiences, but also provided everyday citizens with fresh cultural experiences and new consumption scenarios.
According to Fei Yuanhong, general manager of operator the Shanghai Culture Square Theatre Management Co Ltd, the schedule for 2025 is already fully booked, with international productions from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan coming to the city.
As the first domestic theater dedicated to musicals, the Shanghai Culture Square is said to have transformed from being a venue for simply presenting musicals to an essential platform for incubating new works.
Launched in 2019, an incubation program that focuses on original Chinese musicals has cultivated over 10 original works, six of which have successfully been commercialized, with over 270 performances held nationwide.
The program has not only nurtured original works, but also supports the growth of creative talent. Many writers, lyricists, composers and other theater professionals have developed their careers through this platform, contributing numerous original works.
Source: Jiefang Daily
,https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20250127/d27e191005e4459aa554ae7927c9ba0e.html