An ever-changing skyline

It’s been a fantastically busy and productive day, with back to back meetings starting with the Olympic Attache at the British Embassy followed by the Mayor of London’s Chief Representative in Beijing, Beijing Dramatists Association, National Theatre Company of China, Central Academy of Drama, Xi Xiao Tang and finally, a relaxing dinner with Li Zhenhua (project manager for the China International New Media Arts Exhibition 2008) and Shi Li. There’s tremendous interest both in 100 Words and in the National Youth Theatre’s work, and our plans for next year are starting to take real shape.

It’s also been fascinating seeing the amount of construction going on in Beijing. I’ve never seen so many cranes and roadworks here – obviously there’s a real push going on to get everything ready for next year. Even some of the back streets have been given a makeover - the hutongs surrounding the Central Academy of Drama now have smart paving stones rather than potholes. It’s obviously being developed as a bit of a destination with more and more relaxed, Beijing-style bars and cafes.  There are also large outdoor screens popping up everywhere. We were taken to an amazing, vast overhead screen in The Place a large pedestrianised space between two shopping malls. Even Jiuge Juchang or 9 Theatre in Chaoyang District has its own screen – this was a fascinating place, housing at least four theatre spaces as well as exhibitions of old artefacts, books and posters.  In total contrast, we’re off to see the futuristic Grand National Theatre of China tomorrow or ‘The Egg’, just one of Beijing’s many landmark buildings.