The Theater YOUNG in Yangpu District and the newly opened West Bund Theater in Xuhui District announced their new performance seasons this week.

As two young members of the city's performing art venues, the two theaters seek to be the models for building a more intimate connection with their audiences as well as being suited to the temperament of their surrounding urban areas.

Apart from stage performances, there is much more to look forward to including art workshops, Theater Open Days, and public classes by theater professionals like Hong Kong director Edward Lam.

The two-and-a-half-year-old Theater YOUNG continues with its effort to introduce cutting-edge, innovative and experimental works by international creators to local audiences. Its 2025 performance season gathers 40 stage productions in more than 100 performances.

In this creative play "Uncanny Valley" (March 14-16) by German theater group Rimini Protokoll, German writer Thomas Melle allows an animatronic double of himself to be made. This humanoid will be the only "actor" on stage, throwing questions to the audience like: what does it mean for the original when the copy takes over? Does the original get to know himself better through his electronic double?

Peruvian Kichen Theater's "Eating Myself" and British troupe Theater Re's "Birth" will be staged in April and May, respectively.

The performance season features a "Hong Kong Arts Unlimited" session for the first time, which involves a monodrama by veteran Hong Kong director Tang Shu-Wing (both in English and Cantonese), a multi-media music concert "Nocturnes," MW Dance Theater's "Dance Me to the End of the Night," as well as a master class series by Hong Kong director Edward Lam which is open to the public.

Theater YOUNG promises to introduce public welfare shows – with low ticket prices, master classes and Theater Open Days on a monthly base, and continue to give stage opportunities to young creators and their original exploratory works.

At Shanghai's West Bund along the Huangpu River, the West Bund Theater activated its inaugural "Spring Now!" art festival this week. Some 100 performances and artistic activities by 30 art troupes, including those from Japan, Croatia, Australia and the US, will be presented from March to June.

The stage productions cover varied genres of drama, musical concert, contemporary dance, ballet, folk music, stand-up comedy and children's plays.

Ado's original stage play "Reborn Beats," the "Musical Stars Gala Concert" by Broadway and West End musical singers, jazz concerts by pianist Huang Jianyi and musician James Li are all among the recommendations.

The theater will also join with art troupes like TAO Dance Theater and Xinyi Chinese Chamber Orchestra for immersive and residency programs.

"During the Art Festival, the theater lobby and the third-floor water corridor will gradually open to the public," said West Bund Theater general manager Zhang Xiaoding.

Zhang said public welfare art workshops and other cultural activities will be introduced into the public space of the theater and the rehearsal hall. The theater will also take up the role of an art gallery, inviting the public for exhibitions and installation art in the theater.

"Considering the pet-friendly phenomenon in this areas, pet-friendly services will be gradually provided in the theater," she added. "Everyone is welcome to bring their furry children to the Art Festival."

Those interested can follow the two theaters' official WeChat accounts "THEATREYOUNG" and "gh_9fccaa0de354" for more performance information and ticket purchase services.

If you go:

Theater YOUNG

Address: 1155 Kongjiang Rd, Yangpu District 杨浦区控江路1155号

West Bund Theater 西岸大剧院

Address: 2290 Longteng Avenue 徐汇区龙腾大道2290号