Theatre Above, Shanghai's first drama art center stationed at shopping mall will raise the curtain for plays in early December 2015.

Designed by famed Taiwanese theatre artist Stan Lai, it is committed to providing a refined and intimate theatre-going experience and realizing the idea that general audiences take going to theatre as a life style.

It takes six years for the theatre to be completed from being planned with a total investment of more than RMB 8.8 million Yuan.

Located on the 5th floor of Metro City in Xujiahui of downtown Shanghai, Theatre Above covers an area of 2530 square meters and has a capacity of almost 700 viewers. The lowest drama tickets will be set at about 100 Yuan.

The theatre will serve as a home base for the works of Stan Lai's Performance Workshop and a showcase for domestic and international dramas. It is also the first theatre combing with book store and cinema.

Stan Lai's works 'Sand and A Distant Star' is set to debut at the Theatre Above on Dec. 5. The play list of next year will include 'Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land' starring Brigitte Lin, a veteran Taiwanese actress.

About the name 'Theatre Above'

The word 'Above' symbolizes the physical location of the venue (5th floor) as well as the artistic quality that the theatre is devoted to. Its Chinese name, the single character 'Shang' of 'Shang Theatre' suggests the location 'Shanghai' and implies 'fashionable' and 'refinement'. 'Shang' can also be interpreted as a verb meaning 'to go' (to theatre), making Theater Above a place where everyone can appreciate the magic and beauty of the art form, according to the introduction of the theatre.