Beijing’s own Broadway

Beijing is home to around 100 theaters and more than 200 performance venues, however most are sparsely dispersed throughout a city that lacks its own renowned theater district. Figures from the Beijing Trade Association for Performances show that last year alone more than 21,000 performances hit stages across the city, drawing more than 10 million people to the shows. However, critics argue many venues are located too far from each other throughout the city, echoing calls from within the industry for a concentrated area to be established.

'West End' of the East

Wang Fei, a 24-year-old theater fan and university student, is one person who would welcome a greater cluster of theaters all located within a short stroll of each other.

"My university is located in Beijing's northeast Haidian district. The Haidian Theater is the closest venue, and it often has drama performances. However, if I want to watch a higher standard of performance at a more up market venue, I have to go to the Capital Theater located in the city center or the National Drama Theater in the southeast," said Wang.

"I wish a theater district could be built in the city, so fans like me could have more options when they want to go to theaters all within close proximity of each other."

Chinese actor Yang Lixin, renowned as a veteran of Beijing's theater scene, said establishing a theater district would promote development of the local cultural industry.

"Development of the cultural industry depends on consumption. A theater district would stimulate cultural consumption, as people would be inclined to frequent the district," said Yang.

New York's Broadway and London's West End are arguably the most famous theater districts in the world.

Although both districts individually have fewer theaters than Beijing in total, they are far more successful and identifiable as cultural landmarks. Yang indicated that the high-density of theaters in both districts contributed to their success early on.

"The West End has more than 40 theaters within a one square mile area. Different theaters and venues support each other well, and have become famous cultural landmarks. The latter factor in itself is a major attraction for audiences," said Yang.

Big investment, big expectations

Beijing authorities appear to have recognized the benefits a theater district can bring, with the local government in Xicheng district unveiling plans to build a new performance district located in the Tianqiao area nestled in the city's south. A total of 15 billion yuan ($2.37 billion) has been earmarked for investment in the ambitious project slated to occupy two square kilometers.

Sun Jingsong, publicity officer for Xicheng government, confirmed more than 50 theaters will be constructed by 2020 in Xicheng's theater district, with venues catering to local folk arts such as Peking Opera, crosstalk comedy (or xiangsheng) and story-telling. Western theater shows such as ballets and musicals will also be staged to enrich cultural diversity and broaden audience appeal.

Neighboring Dongcheng district is also following suit, having announced plans to build the world's first garden-like theater district boasting 34 theaters accounting for 20,000 seats.

While welcoming the innovative visions of the Xicheng and Dongcheng local governments, Yang believes the best location for Beijing's theater district is around big State-owned venues such as the Capital Theater and Poly Theater in the capital's southwest.

"Many venues are already located in this area, including the China Children's Art Theater, Beijing People's Art Theater and the Central Academy of Drama. It makes sense to base a theater district around these existing venues," said Yang.

Projected profitability

Chen Shaofeng, associate director of Peking University's Institute for Cultural Industries, said building two theater districts is a controversial, if not "courageous idea." Chen warned it must be whole-heartedly pursued if approved, as construction costs can go into the hundreds of million yuan and can be wasteful to abandon prematurely.

"Professional performance organizations should become long-term tenants of the theater district. What's more important is for high quality performances to be regularly staged to keep audiences coming in," said Chen.

Wu Yuanqing, a 23-year-old actor from the People's Republic of Improv troupe, believes Beijing deserves a theater district to match its food and bar districts.

"Establishing a theater district is certainly a good idea. It offers audiences more options for cultural consumption," said Wu. "Just as people talk about Ghost Street for food or Sanlitun for bars, I hope they can one day talk about Beijing's theater district, wherever that may be."

Rise of small theaters in Dongcheng district

Central Beijing's Dongcheng district will receive a theater makeover over the next three years, following the local government's pledge last December to invest 80 million yuan ($12.6 million) into the local arts scene.

Small theaters have stolen the spotlight in recent years from their big State-run counterparts, who have suffered dwindling popularity. Most small theaters are in old warehouses, siheyuan (traditional courtyards) or hutong basements. The development of small theaters has been limited due to lack of space and facilities. Penggao Theater located in a siheyuan near scenic lake area Houhai, for example, has the nickname "little black box" because of its modest size.

The 80 million yuan will be used to upgrade facilities at existing venues. So far, 18 small theaters have received funding to the tune of 23.5 million yuan for facility upgrades, while 11 small theater productions have been allocated three million yuan.

Some of the funding will also be used to subsidize tickets for audiences. The most expensive tickets for small stage productions will be capped at 100 yuan, while the cheapest tickets will start from 10 yuan.