A musical performance on Dec 13 based on the ancient verbal art pingtan marked the last of the 24 performances by Taicang Theater's 2015 cultural program.

The program enlisted top-notch performance troupes from Shanghai and other cities in Jiangsu province to stage classic and novelty performances in opera, music and acrobatics.

Shanghai opera on stage in Taicang. [Photo from Taicang Daily]

Those with theater passes could watch all 24 shows for 240 yuan in 2015.

The passes were popular and sold 100 in 23 minutes once.

Middle-aged, elderly and young people were all among the audience.

The 2016 program will include ballet and musical concert to court young residents.

Passes for 2016 went on sale on Dec 19.

The pass can also be used for lectures at the city culture center and the city library. The serial lectures are scheduled once per month and have invited Shaoxing opera artist Zhao Zhigang, writer Qin Wenjun and hoofers Jin Xing and Huang Doudou.

Edited by Andrew Ancheta