In 2023, the project for nurturing 15 performing arts spaces, sponsored by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and launched by the Beijing Performing Arts Service Platform for the first time, saw the successful inclusion of Tianning No.1 Oriental Art Space. Situated within the Tianning No.1 Cultural and Technological Innovation Park in Xicheng District, Beijing, this space is adjacent to the Financial Street, with the millennium-old Tianning Temple just a wall away. Jointly created by China Oriental Performing Arts Group and China Huadian Corporation, it is a comprehensive performing arts space integrating performances, exhibitions, training, and new consumption experiences.

Indoor Small Theater Brings Audience Closer

Outdoor Spaces Offer More Possibilities

Tianning No.1 Oriental Art Space comprises a theater with over 300 seats and two outdoor open spaces – a grassy lawn and a viewing corridor spanning nearly a thousand square meters. The theater has been transformed from an industrial workshop and is equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and sound facilities. It also features two dressing rooms capable of accommodating 30 people simultaneously. The intimate theater space brings actors and audiences closer, facilitating interactive experiences.

Exiting through a side door of the theater leads to the outdoor lawn activity area. This space has hosted various events, including the opening ceremony of the 2023 National Arts Troupe Performance and Broadcasting Season, as well as public benefit performances showcasing outstanding programs from the National Arts Troupe.

Ascending a spiral staircase to the second-floor terrace reveals the "Guanning Pavilion," providing an excellent vantage point for a close-up view of the millennia-old Tianning Temple. This area serves as a venue for commercial releases, small-scale performances, cultural and creative markets, and art exhibitions.

Upholding the mission of the major troupe, Tianning No.1 Oriental Art Space gathers resources to serve community residents and surrounding schools and enterprises

It has filled the gap in China Oriental Performing Arts Group's theater business, marking the group's transformation from content production to space operation. Since its opening to the public, Tianning No.1 Oriental Art Space has hosted diverse and exciting performances, including candlelight concerts, traditional Chinese storytelling sessions, Peking Opera performances like "The Havoc in Heaven," and "Getting Closer to Ballet," continuously innovating in stage presentation.

The "Candlelight Concert" differs from traditional concerts by using a thousand electric candles for stage lighting, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. The performance, centered around two cellos with piano accompaniment and hand-drum interludes, establishes a beautiful tone and ambiance.

The "Candlelight Concert" encompasses various classic pieces, such as the lively and brisk "Oriental Express," the soundtrack "A Step Away" from the movie "Scent of a Woman," the world-famous composition "Scarborough Fair," and the Chinese classic ballad "The Moon Represents My Heart." Amidst the flickering candlelight, the melodious tones of the cello slowly reach the ears, immersing the audience in the enchanting world of music.

Leveraging its artistic resources, Tianning No.1 Oriental Art Space, in collaboration with sister organizations like the China National Academy of Literature and Art, has introduced low-cost public welfare performances, presenting a diverse range of cultural activities to the public.

The play "Minimal Creation" by the China Children's Art Theater creatively uses everyday objects to portray various characters without a single line of dialogue, conveying environmental concepts and pure joy. The China Coal Mine Art Troupe's variety show features humor, fast-paced storytelling, and performances such as crosstalk, fast-paced storytelling, double reed instruments, magic, and Sichuan opera face-changing, presenting classic literature and traditional folklore in a humorous and skillful manner. The National Theatre's original play "Heroic Era" uses a visual style reminiscent of "cyberpunk," a grid-like stage structure, and immersive audiovisual effects empowered by digital technology, bringing surprises to the audience.

Furthermore, Tianning No.1 Oriental Art Space has provided a new platform and opportunities for school-enterprise cooperation. In 2023, China Oriental Performing Arts Group's Beijing New Continent Culture and Art Co., Ltd. signed a cooperation agreement with the Art Management and Cultural Communication Department of the China National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts to jointly build a practical teaching base at Tianning No.1 Oriental Art Space.

Central and local cooperation, enriching content,

Providing diverse cultural consumption choices

Through cooperation with various performing arts units across the country, Tianning No.1 Oriental Art Space leverages the advantages of national-level performing arts groups. It provides a platform and window for local businesses and units entering Beijing, while offering more cultural consumption choices for Beijing residents and tourists.

From October 13th to 15th, 2023, the inaugural Cultural Heritage Trail-themed event, "Explore China with Cultural Relics – Shanxi Cultural Heritage Trail Design Invitation Exhibition," was held at the Tianning No.1 Oriental Art Space. Representatives from cultural and relic institutions, as well as tourism units from various cities in Shanxi Province, gathered here for exchanges and presentations. On October 31st, during the "Beautiful Yuyang, the Window of Northern Shaanxi" urban promotion event, a variety of intangible cultural heritage and agricultural and pastoral products were showcased at the market, allowing the residents of Beijing to experience the authentic flavors and unique charm of Northern Shaanxi without leaving the capital.

Since its opening in the spring of 2023, Tianning No. 1 Oriental Arts Space has just spent more than 200 days and nights with the audience, making it a relatively "young" theater. In the future, Tianning No. 1 Oriental Arts Space will continue to rely on its own innovative capabilities, gather more performing arts resources, explore and expand new scenarios and formats in cultural and tourism consumption, and contribute to the construction of Beijing as the "capital of performing arts" and the national cultural center.

Translator: ZHANG Bo

Reviewer: WEN Min