Live Performances return to Shanghai

Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre

Worldwide confirmed cases of Covid-19 have passed 5,300,000 with the number of deaths reported as being over 340,000 (24.05.20). In the UK, where there have been over 36,000 deaths to date (24.05.20), lockdown measures are very gradually being lifted to allow the population to take more outdoor exercise, although public gatherings remain severely restricted, alongside unnecessary travel, whilst bars, restaurants and public entertainment amenities remain closed.

Meanwhile, in Shanghai there have been a total of 668 cases of Covid-19 since the start of the outbreak. Of these cases, 647 patients have fully recovered whilst 7 have lost their lives. There are currently 14 patients being treated for Covid-19 symptoms in the city’s hospitals. Of these current 14 patients, 2 had travelled to Shanghai from Hubei Province and the other 12 arrived in Shanghai from overseas – the latest being a Chinese Student returning home from the USA. Contact technologies are being used to identify all individuals who have been in contact with these travellers and those identified are immediately quarantined to prevent potential spread of the virus. (Shanghai News 23.05.20)

Restrictions on public gatherings remain throughout China although live entertainment has re-commenced, under strict health and safety guidelines, much to the delight of Shanghai’s theatre goers. The Shanghai Oriental Art Centre was the first venue to hold a live performance this month, with a two hour Charity Event which included symphony and folk music, dance and Kunqu.

The audience consisted of 100 lucky individuals who had been amongst one thousand to enter an online draw for free tickets. Strict social distancing was enforced throughout the 1000 seated auditorium and the audience were advised to wear masks, although this was not compulsory. They were also required to submit to body temperature checks and show a green health code upon entering.

The event included The Eternal Wave, an award-winning creation by the Shanghai Dance Theatre, and renowned Kunqu artist Zhang Jun, who later reminded the importance of the return of live performance, commenting that as he interacted with his audiences it made every performance unique. Clearly the performers were not forced to maintain social distancing rules, unlike the audience who were strictly positioned several seats apart in all directions.

Whilst the return to live performance has been widely greeted with delight by the public, theatre managers are decidedly concerned about the prospects. The current National guidelines require that entertainment venues limit their numbers to 30% of capacity and theatre operators generally agree that up to 70% of their seats need to be filled to cover the cost of staging a show. They are hoping that government will ease restrictions in the near future. With cinemas due to reopen, the audience seating arrangements at the Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre would suggest that long arms will be required to share the family popcorn!

Whilst the Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre is planning further events, other venues have begun advertising their rescheduled shows. Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre will be opening its doors for the first time since the restrictions were applied with an original play “Taste of Hot Dry Noodles” in June. This play is apparently set around a divorced couple who become quarantined together in Wuhan during the epidemic. Notably there are no international performances planned in any venue across Shanghai, all will involve local performers and troupes for the foreseeable future.