In Shanghai, more than 60 small-scale theaters have mushroomed in the downtown area, and built a solid fan base. In these small theaters of fewer than 500 seats, audiences often sit so close to the stage that "actors' sweat almost flies onto the audience, which is an irreplaceable experience for a lot of people", according to Shanghai-based theater critic Zhu Guang.

One of the first productions to land in 12F Musical Town is the Chinese version of Chef Show, a musical that has enjoyed continuous success in South Korea for more than 15 years. The fun-packed show combines dance, beatboxing, a cappella, martial arts, and slapstick comedy. As a resident project, Chef Show will be performed up to 200 times a year.

At the same time, two Chinese musical productions will be performed here. The Fiction, a murder mystery, and Narcissus and Goldmund, adapted from the novel by German author Hermann Hesse, are both produced by MSK Musical, a Shanghai-based production company.

Zhang Zhilin, founder and CEO of MSK Musical, says that small theaters are of vital importance to the development of China's musical industry because they provide opportunities for emerging theatrical artists to stage their creations at a feasible cost.

He says that 12F Musical Town is an open platform for creators from all over the country. "We have a recording studio, rehearsal rooms and a lecture hall where industry leaders will share their experiences," he adds.

zhangkun@chinadaily.com.cn