Best bets

Shanghai Dance - Under Siege

Date: July 23 - 7:30 pm

Venue: Shanghai Poly Theater Price: 180-1,080 yuan

The universe is full of images and actions of complexity and struggles. Searching for the path of tradition, listening to the echoes of history flowing in the air. We are required to concentrate and to focus on the rhythm of sound and movements hidden in our bodies and blood. The path to tradition is not the traditional way, it is nested inside our bodies and souls. Many new talents have jointed Yang Liping to the 21st century to create "Under Siege (the full story of Farewell to My Concubine )", searching for new ways to express tradition and history in this modern world. This is a tremendous project where they search, experiment and create new expressions and ideas for the search of traditions in the future.

Classic Puppet Theatre - The Star Keeper

Date: July 23-24 - 2:30 pm

Venue: Shanghai Children Art Theater

Price: 80-480 yuan

A star falling from the heavens was enough... to turn The Star Keeper, a show by Th��atre de l' Oeil, into a little miracle. For over fifteen years, Pretzel, a funny little worm with a funny little face has traveled the roads and skies of the whole world. A theater of images, shadows and light, the world of Pretzel is inhabited by comical, surprising and touching characters: a spider who tap dances in the theatre-belly of a man, a mermaid playing hard to get, a family of picnicking seahorses, a temperamental baby and a dignified lady who is very, very old...

The Smurfs Live on Stage

Date: Aug 4-7 - 7:30 pm

Venue: Shanghai Culture Square

Price: 80-580 yuan

The story is set in Spring - Smurfs' favourite time of the year when the characters are busy preparing for the much-awaited annual Spring Parade. But while the Smurfs make merry and sing and dance with excitement, the wicked Gargamel comes up with a plan to trick Mother Nature and bring an end to the festivities. The Smurfs Live on Stage is a tale of magical adventure that will see the Smurfs battle Gargamel and save Mother Nature whilst promoting family values and the power of a true team spirit amongst children. Little fans, mum and dad and the grandparents alike can get ready to cheer the Smurfs as they come to life on a grand stage.

 

Cirkopolis by Cirque Eloize in Beijing

Date: July 27-30 - 7:30 pm

Venue: Beijing Poly Theater

Price: 180-880 yuan

With Cirkopolis, Cirque Eloize presents a show that combines the worlds of circus, dance and theatre. In the heart of a stern and imposing city in appearance, giant gears and dark portals symbolize a mechanism that crushes individuality. Performing within an inventive stage design and accompanied by an original musical score and video projections, ten acrobats and multidisciplinary artists rebel against monotony, reinvent themselves and challenge the limits of the factory-city.

Clash Royale Shanghai Tournament 2016

Date: July 23 - 7 pm

Venue: Shanghai Himalayas Art Center

Price: 199 yuan

While the tournament is meant to target players in China, anyone who is able to find the tournament and have the password can enter. A few hardcore players who got wind of this information immediately took advantage of the English letters in the tournament name to successfully search for and enter the tournaments. The entire tournament list can actually be found on the official Clash Royale China site. All 100 rooms are currently full, but there's always a good chance that a space may open up before the end of the tournament. The Top 5 finishers from each tournament (500 players total) will be invited to participate in the Championship Finals live in Shanghai.

NCPA's Production of Mazart's Le Nozze di Figaro

Date: Aug 3-7 - 7:30 pm

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

Price: 180-680 yuan

Le Nozze di Figaro is one of the most famous operas created by Mozart in 1786 during the summit of his composing life. The libretto was adapted by the court poet Lorenzo Da Ponte from the same-title novel written by the French comedy writer Pierre Beaumarchais. The Enlightenment writer has written three comedies setting the background in Spain, The Barber of Seville, Le Nozze di Figaro and Sinful Mothers, the major roles and the plot of which are consistent.