Cameron Mackintosh and Shanghai Grand Theatre Create First Chinese Musical Theatre Production Company

Cameron Mackintosh and Shanghai Grand Theatre today announced their intention to create a theatre production company to present Chinese language versions of famous western musicals for Chinese audiences.

During the first ten years, the Company's aim is to present at least four internationally famous musicals for extended runs featuring Chinese performers, musicians and technical staff.

Cameron Mackintosh said today, "Over the past eight years we have been working through my London and Australian offices to bring Western musicals to China. In 2002, LES MISERABLES took the first successful step, running several sold out weeks, setting new records in China where a theatrical production would ordinarily only play for 3 or 4 performances. More importantly, it proved that a western musical play appealed to a wide cross section of the Chinese public. The development of Chinese language productions of western musicals has always been my aim and as the next step in the development of the musical theatre in China. During the last two years, Shanghai has also seen successful international touring productions of CATS and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, productions created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and myself. We are delighted to have agreed an exclusive arrangement to co-produce with the Shanghai Grand Theatre, Chinese language productions of some of the world's greatest musicals, created by myself and other major producers. Obviously I am personally delighted that our Chinese partner wishes for our first production to be LES MISÉRABLES, which is scheduled to open in 2007. When I first visited China in the late 1980's, I was bowled over by the talent I saw at the Shanghai Conservatoire. I have never had any doubt that the country is bursting with theatrical talent and only needed the encouragement and expertise to enable their artists to flourish in musical theatre, as they have done in film. "

Mr Le Shengli, President of the Shanghai Grand Theatre said, "Shanghai Grand Theatre is planning to invest and work with Cameron Mackintosh to produce the Chinese version of LES MISERABLES. We will be selecting and training the first group of professional musical performers in China. In the near future Shanghai will build a dedicated theatre for musicals. Through our cooperation with Cameron Mackintosh, we will ultimately be developing a local musical theatre industry that will become part of the global fabric of international theatre. Our ultimate goal is to create the Chinese musical and we believe this is the first step."

Mr Qian Shijin, Artistic Director of The Shanghai Grand Theatre said, "In the past, ticket prices have been high to support the cost of bringing huge international tours with the necessary backstage infrastructure. A Chinese production of LES MISERABLES will utilise the enormous talents of Chinese performers, orchestras and stage crews. We hope that an extended run will enable us to substantially lower the ticket prices from those that have had to be charged in the past. It is Cameron Mackintosh's reputation for quality that will ensure that the people of Shanghai will see a local production of LES MISERABLES as good as Broadway and London's West End."

Cameron Mackintosh added "If LES MISÉRABLES proves to be a success, we have several other internationally acclaimed musicals which we would like to present firstly in Shanghai and Beijing and then tour into other cities in China."

Cameron Mackintosh presented the first full scale production of a Western musical when LES MISERABLES played at the Shanghai Grand Theatre in 2002.

Shanghai Grand Theatre and Cameron Mackintosh anticipate commencing the nationwide search for Chinese performers later this year.