Musicals tap into a surge in demand

"To prepare, I'm slowly but surely learning Chinese," says the French singer.

"China is one of the largest overseas markets for French musicals. Shanghai takes the largest share of that. That's why we are seeing a growing number of French musicals coming to Shanghai," says Fei Yuanhong, general manager of Shanghai Culture Square. "This is an effective tie between the Chinese and French cultures. They take into consideration the possibility of touring Shanghai, even during the creating phase."

One of the most anticipated productions on the 2025 program is Spirited Away, which premiered in Japan in 2022. The play, adapted and directed by John Caird, former associate director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, is based on the Japanese film of the same title by Hayao Miyazaki. Shanghai Culture Square sold out more than 37,000 tickets to the 25 shows "within one day after box office opening", according to Fei.