Cao Zhen

    caozhen0806@126.com

    FOR theater-lovers in Nanshan District who cannot get enough of live productions, local ticketing and performance company Juooo is presenting a new batch of classical concerts, musicals, children’s plays and traditional Chinese operas for its fall/winter season at the newly renovated Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center.

    Highlights of the season include a concert by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the dance show “Orpheus and Eurydice” by Ballet National de Marseille, the Kunqu opera “The Peony Pavilion,” a New Year’s concert by the Vienna Strauss Orchestra and the U.K. musical “Ghost: the Musical” (see schedule below).

    “Shenzhen is one of the top cities in China for professional shows, but in Nanshan District, residents can only watch classical concerts or musicals at the Poly Theater,” said Pan Zhipeng, Juooo’s China market director. “Now people can enjoy them at the new Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center, and we are excited to bring some of the best shows from around the world to audiences in Shenzhen.”

    The government-owned Nanshan Cultural and Sports Center was built in 1993 and renovated last year. Located near Exit B of Taoyuan Metro Station, the center has two theaters operated by Juooo. The 1,325-seat Juooo Theater has advanced staging equipment available for symphonies, operas and dance shows. The 356-seat Orange Castle Theater is mainly for children’s plays or low-budget dramas, according to Pan.

    Opening the season will be a concert by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by Russian musician Vasily Petrenko, the concert will feature renowned Chinese violinist Ning Feng. Founded in 1840, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is Britain’s longest-running professional orchestra. Since 2006, Petrenko has been the principal conductor of the orchestra. Ning enrolled in the Royal Academy of Music in Britain with a full scholarship in 1998. He won the first prize at the 51st Paganini International Violin Competition in 2006.

    Classical music lovers will also enjoy piano recitals by Taiwan-born Curtis Institute of Music teacher Meng-chieh Liu and young Hong Kong pianist Kinwai Shum. A recipient of the 2002 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Liu joined the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music in 1993 when he was only 21. He received the 2002 Philadelphia Musical Fund Society Career Advancement Award and first prizes in the Stravinsky, Asia Pacific Piano, and Mieczyslaw Munz competitions.

    This fall, Ballet National de Marseille from France will perform a dance version of the tragic Greek myth “Orpheus and Eurydice.” It tells the story of two lovers who are sadly separated by death immediately following their wedding. Orpheus travels to the underworld to rescue his beloved, but, like many Greek myths, their story ends tragically. Directed by Belgium choreographer and general manager of Ballet National de Marseille, Frederic Flamand, the show combines modern and classical dance techniques, taking an innovative approach to the myth, with set designs by Belgian visual artist Hans Op de Beeck.

    Another must-see stage work is the U.K. show “Ghost: the Musical.” Based on the hit 1990 romantic movie of the same name, the musical stays largely true to the original script written by Bruce Joel Rubin. The music was written by Dave Stewart, of Eurythmics fame, and Glen Ballard, a multiple Grammy award winner. The musical premiered at the Manchester Opera House in Britain in March 2011 followed by runs on the West End in London and on Broadway in New York City.

    There is also a show for traditional Chinese culture fans, the Kunqu opera “The Peony Pavilion.” Adapted by Taiwanese writer Pai Hsien-yung, he hopes his rendition will attract a new generation of young people to the centuries-old art of Kunqu.

    Young music fans might enjoy bossa nova singer Lisa Ono, as well as pop shows by Hong Kong band My Little Airport and mainland girl band SNH48.

    To woo audiences, Juooo is offering low-priced tickets for selected shows on its Wechat platform “juchengwangluo.” Each month on the 9th, 19th and 29th, tickets will be on sale for 9 yuan (US$1.42), 19 yuan and 29 yuan, respectively. Mobile phone users can select seats and pay via Wechat.

    SCHEDULE

    Sept. 28: Concert by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

    Oct. 1-2: Children’s play “Teddy Bear” (in Chinese)

    Oct. 3-4: Children’s musical “YooHoo & Friends” (in Chinese)

    Oct. 5-7: Children’s musical “The Cats Who Pursue Dreams” (in Chinese)

    Oct. 10-11: Dance show “Orpheus and Eurydice” by Ballet National de Marseille

    Oct. 25: Piano recital by Meng-chieh Liu

    Nov. 2: Pop concert by mainland girl band SNH48

    Nov. 4-5: Play “The Vagina Monologues” (in Chinese)

    Nov. 7: Pop concert by Hong Kong band My Little Airport

    Nov. 8: Bubble show for children

    Nov. 14-15: Kunqu opera “The Peony Pavilion”

    Nov. 16: Piano recital by Kinwai Shum

    Dec. 20: Children’s play “Submarines Story” (in Chinese)

    Dec. 25: Bossa nova concert by Lisa Ono

    Dec. 30: Russian ballet “The Nutcracker”

    Jan. 3-4: Children’s play “Little Red Riding Hood” (in Chinese)

    Jan. 4: Concert by Vienna Strauss Orchestra

    Jan. 7-11: “Ghost: the Musical”