Empty Seats in Empty Theaters

Statistics from the Daolue Cultural Industry Research Center show that China has 2,255 theaters operating nationwide, including roughly 1,000 that specialize in particular genres or styles of plays or operas. Since 2010, an average of 10 theaters have opened every year, but the percentage of theaters that sit empty all year remains at 27 percent. 72 percent of specialist theaters put on fewer than 30 performances throughout the year, and there are only nine cities that have specialist theaters that put on an average of 55 performances or more each year. It is extremely costly to build a theater, particularly a major one, and the pervasive vacancies are a huge waste of money and labor. Many theaters remain heavily dependent on government subsidies for routine maintenance costs even after they open and fail to cultivate a regular paying audience. Divided audiences, a lack of good performances and an absence of qualified management staff are the main problems.