New theater model introduced in Beijing
4K ultrahigh definition technology used to share live shows across cities
The ongoing 2025 Grand Performances in Beijing Seasonal Productions program has introduced a new model for cultural connectivity with its Second Venue series.
As part of this series, the musical Finding Li Ergou, winner of the 18th Wenhua Award, China's top national honor for professional stage productions, was staged in December in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.
Through 5G networks and 4K ultrahigh definition technology, the show at Shenzhen's Guangming Culture and Arts Center was streamed to audiences across five venues in Beijing, including the Fangzhuang Culture and Art Center and the Poly International Cinema in Dongba. This allowed audiences located some 2,000 kilometers apart to enjoy a synchronized and immersive cultural experience.
The Second Venue series is a newly introduced feature in this year's Grand Performances in Beijing program. Anchored in UHD technology, this innovative form of performing arts aims to make high-quality artistic works universally accessible. By transcending physical boundaries, it allows multiple theaters to enjoy the same performance simultaneously.
Finding Li Ergou is notable as China's first musical centered on the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53). It captivated audiences with its deeply emotional narrative and inventive artistic expression. The musical draws from the historical experiences of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's 116th Division and employs a "time-travel" narrative. It chronicles a young modern man's journey following his grandfather's memoirs back to the banks of the Yalu River in 1950, where he seeks traces of the heroic figure Li Ergou. By interweaving the memories of two generations, the story conveys the themes of patriotism and intergenerational dialogue.
The creative team designed the production around the Long Live Peace medal, a commemorative badge awarded by China to its soldiers for their service in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. The use of a rotating stage and suspended cables, combined with elements of rock, folk and pop music, created a blend of historical gravity and contemporary vibrancy.
This Second Venue experience was made possible through the integration of 5G networks, 4K UHD technology and multi-channel audio systems, ensuring low-latency and high-fidelity transmission. On the UHD large screen at Beijing's Fangzhuang Culture and Art Center and the 4K screens at the other four venues, even the smallest details of the show — such as the performers' expressions, fabric textures and a blink of an eye — were stunningly clear. Audience members could feel as if they were part of the live performance. This approach provides a viable model for the cross-regional sharing of cultural resources.
The Second Venue series was launched as a public cultural initiative, with all Beijing locations fully booked. The audiences' feedback was overwhelmingly positive. At a Poly International Cinema near Beijing's Tian'anmen Square, an audience member surnamed Zhang, who attended the event with his son, told Beijing Daily: "I was initially worried about how the experience might differ, but the UHD broadcast was incredible. My son was completely captivated throughout. Afterward, he was full of questions about stories from his grandfather's generation."
At the Fangzhuang Culture and Art Center, a retired teacher surnamed Li said to Beijing Daily: "The storyline involving the Long Live Peace medal touched my heart profoundly. Works highlighting the sacrifices of the older generation for today's peace are something more people should see."
In addition to stage performances, the 2025 Grand Performances in Beijing program introduced a theater market, held from Nov 15 to 16 at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. The market offered a diverse range of experiences, including pop-up theater performances, new work launch events, and celebrity meet-and-greets, adding a fresh dimension to the cultural celebration.
Featuring more than 100 unique items — from food to trendy merchandise — the event created an immersive theatrical atmosphere and attracted over 30,000 visitors, generating more than 300,000 yuan ($42,580) in sales. Highlights included live performances of five shows, including the musical Under the West Bell. Additionally, the English-language musical The Phantom of the Opera, which had been staged in Beijing three times over the last decade, graced the city's stage again.
The New Works segment of the event unveiled new productions, including the Sino-French collaboration The Little Prince and five other forthcoming performances. Attendees were also treated to the unveiling of the creative concepts of new musicals such as Returning Home on a Snowy Night and Forty Days. Meanwhile, an annual improvised theater festival introduced visitors to innovative, interactive drama experiences.
Complementing the lineup was the Celebrities Lounge, which featured six in-depth dialogues led by 20 prominent artists, including Pu Cunxin and Ren Dongsheng.
huyuyan@chinadaily.com.cn
