2024 Beijing Tianqiao Musical Annual Ceremony kicks off

On November 20, the 2024 Beijing Tianqiao Musical Annual Ceremony officially opened at the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. In the following month, a series of events, including awards for outstanding productions, industry forums, the release of the annual report, musical popularization, and talent cultivation programs will be organized.

Notably, building on years of musical professionals training programs, the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center launched a Musical Performer Talent Pool this year. The platform invites applications from universities, theatre companies, social organizations, and individuals across the country to identify promising musical performers. The first cohort of 138 performers was announced on the opening day.

A highlight of this year’s ceremony is the release of the 2024 Musical Theatre Market Report, jointly produced by the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center and the China Association of Performing Arts. According to the report, from January to October 2024, 13,600 musical theatre performances were staged nationwide, a 5.5% increase compared to 2023, generating a box office revenue of 1.396 billion yuan, up 26.7%, and attracting an audience of 5.82 million, an increase of 4.6%. Projections for the full year estimate 17,000 performances, ticket sales exceeding 1.6 billion yuan, and total attendance surpassing 7 million.

Looking ahead to 2025, the Tianqiao Classics program is set to make a strong debut. In January, the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre's Cantonese playThe Top Restaurantwill premiere in Beijing as the opening performance of the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center's new season. In February, the star-studded Musical Theatre Concert: Reunion II will feature original cast members from acclaimed productions in London’s West End and New York's Broadway. The concert will present iconic musical songs from classics such as The Phantom of the Operaand Les Misérables.