Classic tales to be told at theater reopening

SHANGHAI Pingtan Troupe is to stage classic performances at the newly renovated Changjiang Theater.

Artists including Wu Xinbo, Zhu Lin, Gao Bowen and Lu Jinhua will tell stories about the “Legends of Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907),” “The Four Beauties of Ancient China” and “China’s Four Classical Novels.”

With a history of around 400 years, is a form of artistic and elegant storytelling set to musical lyrics in Suzhou dialect.

The touching stories of the four beauties of ancient China, including Xi Shi, Diao Chan, Wang Zhaojun and Yang Yuhuan, will be told in creative perspectives of how the four women sacrificed themselves for the country and its people.

The stories of China’s four classical novels — “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” “Outlaws of the Marsh,” “Journey to the West” and “Dream of the Red Chamber” are known and told in almost every Chinese household.

Famous excerpts will be selected for the performances to provide audience an insight into the history and legends.

The performances are also part of the programs of the Changjiang Theater’s opening performing season.

In the following three months, audiences will also be offered Kunqu Opera classic “The Peony Pavilion,” Peking Opera play “Rediscovering Peking Opera,” creative crosstalk show, jazz theater and a concert combining (a seven-stringed Chinese musical instrument) with electronic music.

Date: November 24, 2pm

Date: November 30, December 7, 7:30pm

Date: December 14, December 21, 7:30pm Venue: Changjiang Theater

Address: 35 Huanghe Rd.

Tickets: 100 yuan