Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

After six years of construction, Zhuhai Grand Theater will invite world top-level symphony orchestras to stage splendid first shows on Dec 31 and then hold the 2017 Zhuhai New Year’s Concert the next day, Zhuhai Urban Construction Group announced on Oct 17. 

Rendering of Zhuhai Grand Theater 

As the only island (Yeli in Xiangzhou) theater in the Chinese mainland, the Grand Theater is a magnificent twin structure shaped as scallops. The main body includes a large theater and a multi-function smaller one. The huge scallop, with 1,550 seats, is to be mainly used for large-scale operas, musical dramas, ballets, symphonic music performances, stage plays, and entertainment shows. The 550-seat smaller one, on the other hand, is not only a theater, but also a stage for local, pioneer and experimental dramas, fashion shows, and medium-sized conferences.  

Interior design of the Grand Theater  

The theater builders applied top-level stage machinery and acoustics, and color illumination designs to ensure an international first-class art palace. The stage mechanical equipment control system is the most advanced in China among newly built theaters in the past five years. 

The average ticket price will be 220 yuan ($33) at most whereas even lower prices ranging between 20 yuan ($3) and 100 yuan ($15) will be offered during the summer season. Register as a member can enjoy better discounts, credits, and ticket packages.   

The theater plans to stage 120 performances next year, with about 80 commercial shows and 40 leased and charity performances. Every year, it will arrange several free visiting days, free art lectures, training, and music education activities to promote art among the public. 

Zhuhai Grand Theater [Photos by Zhao Sihua, Zeng Yao and Chen Jiazhe / Zhuhai Daily]

Moreover, the theater each year will host more than 30 percent of A-level, 40 percent of B-level, and 40 percent of C-level performances.  

A-level performances refer to repertoires performed by national, imperial, or capital city art troupes from Europe and America or China, or central art troupes directly subordinate to the Ministry of Culture and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film & Television. 

B-level performances are those staged by Beijing or provincial art troupes having won national-level highest art awards, while the C-level includes excellent plays performed by provincial-level art groups, sources say.