Tianqiao revives tradition by building a global stage for performing arts

John Owen-Jones, a leading star of The Phantom of the Opera, says China's growing audience for Western musicals could help spur a new wave of homegrown productions, with an increasing number of polished original Chinese musicals already emerging.

Acrobatic troupes also regularly perform at Wansheng Theater in Tianqiao, while immersive productions centered on China's intangible cultural heritage attract big crowds. Venues such as the Tianqiao Impression Museum use augmented reality and motion-sensing technologies to revive fading folk arts. In contrast, its archive of 20,000 volumes of folk literature is free and open to the public.

Yang Shucong, general manager of the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, says the venue will stage a lineup of iconic international musicals this year. The English-language program includes Chicago and Kinky Boots, while French offerings include Don Juan and Cyrano de Bergerac.

Chinese-language adaptations are also gaining popularity. Standout productions include The Devotion of Suspect X, Murder Ballad and The Count of Monte Cristo.

These productions mark a pivotal step in the center's evolution, from a venue operator into a content co-creator, Yang says.

"Going forward, we'll continue to carry forward China's cultural heritage, foster new forms of cultural activities, and build the Tianqiao Performing Arts Area into a global stage where cultural exchange and performing arts thrive," Yin says.

XINHUA