What do you expect to find in downtown Beijing? Crowds? Noise? Concrete jungles? What if you could find a courtyard house neighbouring the skyscrapers but providing a quiet corner amid the hustle and bustle?

There is such a courtyard, where theatre is also available besides a moment to chillax. Star Theatre, just a few blocks south of the Xidan business circle, is a mini theatre complex that offers theatregoers a handy place to soak themselves in an artistic atmosphere.

Not only can the theatregoers enjoy the thousand Hamlets at Star Theatre, it is also a dream factory to those who want to become Shakespeare. The complex, which includes five mini stages and a rehearsal hall, makes it possible for young independent drama directors to try out their screenplays.

Interview with Xiao Fan, co-founder of Star Theatre:

From August 2009, our theatre’s schedule is full until 7 February 2010. A director has been waiting for three years to put his screenplay into real show. He finally came to us with his idea. We provide funds, manpower, stage and other services to those who hold dreams for the theatre. Those young directors are really pleased to find us. We have four to five crews rehearsing here every day. It is not that only Star Theatre could help them, but they might have to wait for years to present their shows to the audience without our help. Some brilliant ideas may just be lost.

The philosophy of Star Theatre is to combine drama and life, to add some flavor to hectic city living, to provide a corner of mind-relaxation in the neighbourhood, and to provide dream chasers possibilities of creation and fulfillment.

Story & Editor: Huang Lan

Video: Ren Cong & Huang Lan