If you can't bring Broadway to the city, then build your own. By 2010, Shanghai will have its own version of New York City's Broadway, as a "Drama Avenue" is planned on Huashan Road and Anfu Road.

The downtown streets are a natural home for a theater district as they already boast Shanghai Theater Academy, China Welfare Children's Art Theater and Shanghai Drama Arts Center. A total of nine theaters exist along Huashan Road and Aufu Road. A cafe theater is also under construction as a rehearsal hall for Children's Art Theater.

The Shanghai Theater Academy proposed the idea.

"We planned this avenue in the hope of increasing interaction among different drama theaters and provide our students with better training venues," said Zhang Zhongnian, vice president with Shanghai Theater Academy.

The academy is now working closely with other theaters for the promotion and planning of the drama avenue.

A series of meetings will be held to discuss project details including investment and relocation of residents.

"This kind of drama avenue is a win-win situation as audiences get more shows and the theaters earn more money," said Yang Shaolin, general manager with Shanghai Drama Arts Center.

His words were echoed by Lin Hu from Children's Art Theater. "We are sure to benefit from such an avenue and promote more dramas for children," he said.

The various theaters plan to introduce more domestic and international shows.

Paradise Theater, which is planning the cafe theater, was also pleased to be involved in the project. "Anfu Road is known for its cultural atmosphere and I believe the cafe theater will bloom," said Manager Huang Daqin.

Other plans for the area include new cafes, bookstores, music shops and boutiques, academy officials said.

(eastday.com March 2, 2004)