Statistics from the Beijing Culture Bureau revealed that Beijing currently has over 80 theaters

Statistics from the Beijing Culture Bureau revealed that Beijing currently has over 80 theaters "It can not compare to the real Broadway. New York's Broadway is located in busy downtown, plus it attracts many tourists," commented Jiang Li, a producer with China National Opera House.

Offering a possible solution, Haidian district announced at the end of last year that it would become China's Broadway base by building the China National Show Center – 32 new theaters covering 600,000 square meters. The project is scheduled to be completed within fi ve years.

Earlier this year Dongcheng district also announced it would build itself into Broadway with two new theaters especially for musicals. Already having several major theaters and production companies, the district wants to further raise its image as an international performance center, similar to London's West End and New York's Broadway.

Chaoyang district has also jumped on the bandwagon, announcing the building of a group of theaters in Cuigezhuang and a 30 million yuan ($4.39 million) investment to transform it into Beijing's Broadway.

While the fi erce battle for Broadway has added excitement to Beijing's entertainment industry, critics are questioning the need of so many new venues, especially in light of the fact that many old theaters are not being fully utilized.

Statistics from the Beijing Culture Bureau revealed that Beijing currently has over 80 theaters. Only 30 are frequently used for shows.

Manager of Beijing Oriental Pioneer Theater, Fu Weibo, suggested that the government make some efforts to put the old theaters into use.

"Many theaters are often standing idle due to various reasons. Some are geographically inconvenient. Some belong to institutes and are not open to the public. As most theaters are built by the government, it is a waste ofState-owned assets," Fu commented.