The objective of building Beijing into a capital of performing arts has attracted widespread attention and discussions since it was outlined in the city's government work report in January, for the first time.

Yin Yong, acting mayor of Beijing, delivered a government work report at the opening ceremony of the first session of the 16th Beijing Municipal People's Congress on January 15.

Rich resources and diverse venues for performing arts

Beijing, a national cultural center and international exchange center, has unique advantages and rich resources associated with the performing arts.

Li Zhixiang, vice-president of the National Center for the Performing Arts, highlighted the importance of theaters, social organizations of performing arts, artists and artistic activities in the building of Beijing into a capital of performing arts.

Beijing is home to many state-level theaters and grassroots performance venues, which include the Capital Theatre, Chang'an Grand Theatre, Mei Lanfang Theatre, the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, Drum Tower West Theatre and Star Theatre. They have played a leading role in maintaining a stable and energetic environment for the positive development of performing arts in the capital city.

Meanwhile, many new theaters with different purposes have sprung up in Beijing over the past few years.

The capital city has also intensified its efforts to revitalize Jixiang Grand Theatre, Zhengyici Beijing Opera Theatre, Beijing Huguang Guild Hall and many other time-honored venues in a drive to create more space for the production and performance of all types of performing arts, to make full use of the city’s profound cultural heritage, and bring traditional operas alive and closer to ordinary people.

During an interview, Wei Chunrong, a national-level actor from Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre, said that the revitalization of these ancient guild halls and other special venues will promote theatrical production and the innovation of performing arts.

The emergence and fast development of immersive, interactive and experiencing performance forms, which comprise of candlelight concerts, chamber music, talk shows and magic opera, have brought theatrical performance to shopping malls and tourist attractions and increased their appeal to the public.

Guo Lei, president of the Beijing Dance Academy, called on the capital city to further improve its overall planning and coordination work in the full utilization of its rich resources related to the performing arts.

Burgeoning theatrical production

Wang Wenguang, Party secretary of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, said that it is fitting for Beijing to build itself into a capital of performing arts because of its rich cultural and theatrical resources.

The capital city has high-level theatrical production and performance teams and fledged industrial chains, which create a strong momentum for local artists to bring to attract more work.

In the past few years, the capital city has founded the Beijing Culture and Arts Fund, the Beijing Drama Rehearsal Center and the Beijing Cultural Service Platform of Theatre Operation, and has adopted other supporting policies to support theatrical production and performances.

Wang Bo, chairman of Poly Culture Group Corporation Limited, stressed that the efforts made by Beijing to support theatrical production, talent cultivation and industrial development will attract more people to settle in the city to conduct theatrical activities and nurture a fine theatrical environment.

The year 2022 was a fruitful year for Beijing in the creation of many high-quality theatrical programs. The first session of the Grand Performances in the Beijing Seasonal Productions event brought together nationwide performing troupes and displayed about 40 programs.

The organization of Beijing Fringe Festival, China Children's Theatre Festival, the Cross-Straits & Hong Kong and Macao Forum on Campus Theater, and many other theatrical activities have further advanced the production and performance of theatrical programs in the city.

Zhao Jiachen, chairman of the Beijing Performance & Arts Group, said that the capital city must give full support to innovation-driven content creation, exhibit outstanding theatrical works from home and abroad, attract leading global performing troupes, and expand the width and depth of its foreign exchanges in the cultural sector.

Photo taken on September 1, 2022, shows performers at the 13th China Art Festival at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing. [Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao]

Capital Theatre of Beijing People's Art Theatre (file photo)

An artist gives a show during Beijing Ancient Architecture Music Season. [Provided by organizers of Beijing Ancient Architecture Music Season]

A photo shows the inside of China National Opera House's new venue [Provided by China National Opera House]