On Saturday 9 February (5pm) The Journal Tyne Theatre in Newcastle will play host to one of the world's most extraordinary theatrical troupes as the red carpet is rolled out for the China Welfare Institute's Children's Palace [better known globally as the Shanghai Children's Palace Arts Troupe].
 
 The Arts Troupe is made up of 54 members including 39 child performers aged between 9 and 16. The show promises to be an international showcase of theatre, music and dance, which has already entertained audiences in over 20 countries around the world.
 
 Shanghai Children's Palace have been invited to the UK by the North East-based organization Sino-Anglo Cultural Exchange Association as part of EAST'08, the headline theme of NewcastleGateshead's world-class festivals and events program for 2008, managed by culture10 at NewcastleGateshead Initiative.

The audience can expect a mixture of arts and culture during the special 'once in a lifetime' extravaganza, including elegant dance routines, angelic choral music, engaging Beijing Opera, spectacular costumes, traditional Chinese orchestral music and onstage calligraphy.

"It's hoped the Shanghai Children's Palace cultural arts exchange program will act as a springboard towards helping to develop a long term relationship between the two regions," said Yanhong Bi, Project Manager for Sino-Anglo Cultural Exchange Association.

To book your tickets for the Shanghai Children's Palace music and dance extravaganza please contact The Journal Tyne Theatre box office on +44 (0) 844 493 9999 or purchase online via www.thejournaltynetheatre.co.uk

For further information about the Sino-Anglo Cultural Exchange Association and the Shanghai Children's Palace event please visit www.sacea.org.uk

This event is part of EAST'08 - a world-class celebration of contemporary Asian culture in the North East. An extensive timetable of EAST'08 events can be found at www.newcastlegateshead.com/events/44341/EAST_08.html

The cultural visit and performance is also in partnership with the national celebration CHINA NOW, demonstrating the international pedigree of the showcase event www.chinanow.org.uk

Additional show: There will be a second opportunity for people to witness the amazing Shanghai Children's Palace, as they perform a scaled down concert on the following day (Sunday 10 February) at the King's Hall, situated on the University of Newcastle upon Tyne campus - tickets are priced £5 and the concert will commence at 5pm.

Tickets for the King's Hall concert are available on the door or can be purchased from JG Windows (Central Arcade, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 5BP / +44 0 191 232 1356). Alternatively people can buy the tickets directly from SACEA please contact +44 (0) 191 241 2305 or via the website www.sacea.org.uk

Please note, this performance is focused more on the musical elements of the Shanghai Children's Palace, if you are looking for the fuller variety performance please attend The Journal Tyne Theatre event.

Saturday 9 February 2008
The Journal Tyne Theatre
Newcastle upon Tyne
North East England
UK