Now approaching its seventh decade of existence, and after six years of renovations, the New Shanghai Theater (上海大戏院) on Fuxing Zhong Lu opened its door on March 9.

New Shanghai Theater

1186 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Shaanxi...

Throughout the decades, the venue has hosted plays, musicals, and dramatic events, but mostly it has served as a private-owned movie theater. For most of its run it was the "上海电影院" ("Shanghai Movie Theater") from 1956 till 2011.

Badly in need of repairs in the late '00s, the government shut it down for safety concerns. Renowned architecture agency Neri & Hu took over the project, helping it to return to its former stature.

Playing with different textures and lighting concepts, the agency has created a variety of sleek design elements and details that reflect the theatrical effects of a stage performance.

In order to provide privacy and noise isolation for the neighbors, the entire building has been covered in stone. All the windows have been removed, except for the ceiling, which captures natural light.

A contemporary art exhibition called "RE 源" kicked off the opening last month. Over thirty young artists participated in this exhibition. Their interpretations of the prefix are now decorating the venue.

Paying tribute to China's master playwright Caoyu, New Shanghai Theater hosted its first play The Wilderness, (原野) on March 31. Tickets quickly sold out -- a similar popular reaction was received when the venue staged the exact same piece 74 years earlier.

"Future Contemporary Kunqu Art Week" (当代昆曲周) is the third and the most recent show on for the Theater's opening program. Twenty Kun opera plays are included, being staged from April 7 to April 16.

The biggest Kunqu event to be taking place in Shanghai in many years, in ten days, twenty different Kunqu shows and two talks will transpire in the New Shanghai Theater.

SmSh went behind the scenes for an intimate look at the backstage area last Friday with SmartShanghai photographer Brandon McGhee. Actors and actresses had started their make-up preparations three hours before the curtain went up.

The opera is led by Zhang Jun (张军), often dubbed "the prince of Kunqu" by his fans. He is recognized nationally as a first class actor for his interpretation of "xiaosheng"(小生, a young male character).

Kunqu, originating from Suzhou during the Yuan dynasty, is considered "the mother of all operas" in China, heavily influencing Peking opera.

There are seven major hangdang (行当, role types) in Kunqu, and even more sub roles in each hangdang.

These role types represent distinctive gender, age, and social statuses. Last Friday was a "xiaosheng" showcase, consisting of four different shows.

A scene from the first performance of the "xiaosheng" showcase:《白罗衫·看状》 (It... can't be translated, trust us on this.)

Throughout the Kunqu week event, a cast composed of Kunqu artists from Jiangsu, Hunan, Suzhou and many other Kunqu opera houses from around China will perform on stage.

From April 12 to April 16, as the last show of their program, Shakespeare's Hamlet will be performed in Kunqu style. The show I, Hamlet is also led by Zhangjun, alongside a band that plays both Chinese and western instruments.

The future looks good for the newly reopened theater. Soon, the venue will host traditional operas, experimental plays, salons, and more creative stage events. Their shows might not all be ideal for non-Chinese speakers, but when they do stage something that accommodates English speakers, you should jump at the chance to go.