5 Shows to Catch at the Shanghai International Arts Festival

By Andrew Chin, October 14, 2016

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There’s an embarrassment of cultural riches coming over the next two months as part of the 18th China Shanghai International Arts Festival. From innovative immersion theater hits like Sleep No More to the first show from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s translation project, there will be plenty of choices for lovers of the stage. Here are five shows to catch in the next two weeks.


Oct 18: Julia Fischer

Oct 18: Julia Fischer

A Gramophone Award winner for Artist of the Year, the famed German violinist was catapulted to fame as an 11-year-old after winning the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition. She’s since collaborated with the world’s most celebrated orchestras while receiving constant critical acclaim for her live performances and records.
Oct 18, 7.30pm, RMB80-580. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, see event listing.


Oct 18-25: The Mariinsky

Oct 18-25: The Mariinsky

The world-famous ballet and opera theater sets up shop at Shanghai Grand Theatre for a trio of shows that highlight its diversity and excellence. On October 18 and 20, they perform Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s opera The Queen of Spades, which debuted in 1890. On October 19 and 21, musical director Valery Gergiev conducts the Mariinsky Orchestra, showcasing the skills that led to his winning the prestigious Herbert von Karajan Conducting Competition while still a student. Dance fans won’t want to miss the iconic Mariinsky Ballet’s rendition of Romeo and Juliet on October 24 and 25. Choreographed by Leonid Lavrovsky, it was the first full adaptation of composer Sergei Prokofiev’s version, which premiered in 1940 and remains a Mariinsky staple.
The Queen of Spades: Oct 18 and 20, 7pm, RMB180-1,880. Shanghai Grand Theatre.
Valery Gergiev and The Mariinsky Orchestra: Oct 19 and 21, 7.30pm, RMB80-1,680. Shanghai Grand Theatre.
Romeo and Juliet: Oct 24-25, 7.30pm, RMB180-1,680. Shanghai Grand Theatre.


Oct 20-22: Monte-Carlo Ballet

Oct 20-22: Monte-Carlo Ballet

Established in 1985 by the Princess of Hanover, the Monte-Carlo Ballet continues Monaco dance traditions under the iconic choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot. Eleven years after its premiere, her adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Le Songe, has a three-night engagement at Shanghai Culture Square.
Oct 20-22, 7.15pm, RMB180-980. Shanghai Culture Square.


Until Oct 23: Tim Yip - Reformation

Tim Yip: Reformation

A renowned art director and designer for film and stage, Yip has won an Academy Award and BAFTA Award for his work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. He takes over Power Station of Art for an exhibition rooted in his concept of neo-orientalism that many have credited for helping the world appreciate the beauty of Chinese culture and arts. Reformation contains Yip’s works across a variety of media from photography to installation
Until Oct 23. Power Station of Art.


Oct 28-30: Stuttgart Ballet

Oct 28-30: Stuttgart Ballet

With roots dating to the 17th century court ballet of the Duke of Württemberg, the Laurence Olivier Award-winning company has carved a reputation for their full-length narrative ballets. For their China tour, they will be performing John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet. Since its 1962 premiere, the neoclassical ballet has graced the world’s most prestigious stages, like the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Oct 28-30, 7.15pm, RMB80-1,280. Shanghai Grand Theatre.


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