By Tang Shunjia
The 2024 Autumn International Theatre Festival at YOUNG Theatre features 29 performances from 8 productions, showcasing works from the UK, Germany, France, Brazil, Spain, and China. Covering drama, dance, puppetry, and solo performances, the festival extends beyond the stage, collaborating with Yangpu's communities to offer discounted tickets and "art bundles," bringing world-class theatre to local audiences.
For many avid theatre fans, the discounted ticket campaign is a perfect opportunity to snag great deals. At the mobile ticket booth in Changbai 228, Ms. Wang, who traveled from another district, shared her excitement: "I love YOUNG Theatre's programming—it matches my taste perfectly. Today, I bought an art bundle for Every Woman. For less than 300 yuan, I get tickets worth nearly 600 yuan—it's such a great deal!"
This year's lineup for the discounted campaign includes two key productions: Ten Thousand Tons of Moonlight, a poetic dance theatre piece by Yu Xiuhua, and Every woman, a masterpiece from Germany's Schaubühne Theatre. To provide even more options, the family-friendly musical The Lion and the Mouse from London's West End is also available in the 299-yuan art bundles.
"I've always heard about the transformation of Yangpu Grand Theatre into YOUNG Theatre but never went inside. After having dinner with my family, I came across the discounted ticket event and bought a bundle for The Lion and the Mouse. I plan to take my child to experience the atmosphere of live theatre," said a local resident.
For two years, the Autumn International Theatre Festival has brought world-class performances to local communities. This year, initiatives like "Tickets Under 100 Yuan" and "299-Yuan Art Bundles" include 8 productions and 21 performances, extending to venues such as Yangpu Library, New Jiangwan Town Library, and Changbai 228, allowing residents to enjoy high-quality shows right at their doorstep.
Transformed from the former Yangpu Grand Theatre, YOUNG Theatre is known for its youthful energy and boundary-breaking creativity. Over the past two years, it has hosted more than 400 performances and 300 cultural activities, with total audience numbers growing from 83,000 in its first year to 147,000 in the second. Its core audience is predominantly post-90s, with over 60% of attendees in this age group and an average age just above 30.
While rooted in theatre, YOUNG Theatre goes beyond its core focus. Recently, it hosted a special performance as part of the 2024 All-City Jazz Festival at its Green Box Theatre.
Renowned music producer and singer Li Quan, alongside jazz pianist and composer Huang Jianyi, opened the show with Just the Way You Are, followed by a medley of popular English and Chinese songs. Youth jazz bands like SOS and Midnight Quartet also performed, captivating the audience. "The combination of lighting, performers, and audience created such a magical atmosphere. Listening to jazz on a weekday night gave me a burst of energy," said attendee Ms. Chen.
The jazz festival features a variety of events, including musicals, concerts, movie-themed performances, and pop-up shows. These events have already brought jazz to cultural landmarks such as YOUNG Theatre and New Jiangwan Cultural Park, with plans to expand into commercial districts and creative spaces, introducing jazz to more people and showcasing its charm.
"Shanghai is a city with an innate jazz spirit. Performing here feels effortless and joyful," said Li Quan.
As YOUNG Theatre evolves, it embraces connection and transformation. "Two years is just the start," said General Manager Wang Jie. "We chose to walk steadily, step by step. The road may not always be smooth, but we are committed to moving forward, leaving our mark with each step."