International Festival of Theatres Raises the Curtain

The National Theatre Company of China has announced it will join the China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) in presenting the first International Festival of Theatres in Beijing beginning July 15, 2004.

The theme of the first festival is "Chekhov Forever."

Participants in China's theatre industry have few chances to communicate with foreign counterparts, especially the most outstanding troupes, and Chinese audience also seldom get to enjoy foreign works, so the company intends to establish a system to import the best troupes and dramas to China.

On July 15, 1904, Anton Chekhov, one of the greatest dramatists of all time, passed away. He left Three Sisters, Uncle Vanya, Cherry Orchard, and the Seagull, among other works, as part of his legacy. A century later, the National Theater Company has chosen to perform these dramas in a Chinese way to salute the master and to celebrate the opening ceremony of the festival. Top Russian, Israeli and Canadian theatre groups have also been invited to perform Chekhov's works in their own ways. At the same time, an art exhibition concerning Chekhov featuring life images, videos and flashes will be held at the Central Academy of Drama at 39 Dongmianhua Lane, Jiaodaokou District.

The company's festival performances are being arranged in different corners of Beijing, so that more audiences can have a chance to attend. Possible venues include the Tianqiao Theater, Haidian Theater and Dongdan Theater.

Founded on December 25, 2001, in Beijing after a merger of the China Youth Theatre and the Central Experimental Theatre, the National Theatre Company is China's top public performing arts group and is the theatrical home of some of China's top performers.

CAEG is the first large state-owned cultural enterprise newly organized on the basis of China Performing Arts Agency and China International Exhibition Center.

National Theatre Company of China

A45 Mao'er Hutong, Di'anmen

010 6403 1009

jumu@necc.com.cn

www.ntcc.com.cn

Central Academy of Drama

39 Dongmianhua Lane

Jiaodaokou District

010 8404 6174