RUSSIA’S St. Petersburg National Ballet Troupe staged an ice ballet, “Swan Lake,” at the Qingdao Grand Theater on Oct. 27, marking the start of the theater’s three-month trial opening.

    A government-invested public cultural facility, the theater not only satisfies locals’ needs for cultural feasts but also puts an end to the lack of high art venues in the city.

    With a total investment of 1.35 billion yuan (US$198 million) and covering 87,000 square meters, the theater is located next to Qingdao International Beer City, and took five years to build. The theater has first-class stage equipment and the performance area comprises an opera house with 1,600 seats, a concert hall with 1,200 seats and a multifunction hall with 400 seats. Beijing Poly Theater Management Co. will be in charge of the theater’s daily operation and management.

    The theater will open officially from the start of next year and is expected to stage 100 high-end performances and 30 benefit performances every year.

    (Martin Li, Wang Ping)