Opening portals into art for children

THE 4th Poly Children’s Arts Festival aims to “open the portals into art” for young audiences with 38 programs from June to August.

From theaters, musicals to concerts and summer camps, the carefully selected performances cater to children of different ages.

The interactive play “You Are the Performer,” which was well received in the previous festival, is set to return this year. Every audience member will get a musical instrument and interact with two Canadian artists in the show.

Many cartoon characters will come to life on the stage of the Shanghai Poly Grand Theater, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, who will tell the story through ballet. “The Little Mermaid,” presented by the Panto Company, will also make a big splash.

The story of Peter Rabbit, Backkom Bear, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and the Three Bears will all be presented.

In the concert series, the Trinity Boys Choir from the UK and the Kammerorchester Louis Spohr from Germany will land in Shanghai during the summer vacation. The troupes will cooperate with Chinese musicians, such as conductor Cui Hongjia and pianist Yin Zhi.

The first Poly Children’s Choir Festival will kick off in July. A number of nationally renowned children’s choirs will have a music party at the theater.

Opening the door wider to children, the Shanghai Poly Grand Theater will organize two summer camps that will last for about 10 days. Children will have chances to learn Kunqu Opera, perform in musicals, play percussion instruments and make ship models.

For a full program schedule and more details, check