The theatre was designed by the French architect Paul Andreu and was officially inaugurated in December 2007; it cost a remarkable $357,000,000, it covers an area of 200,000sq.m and can seat up to 6,500 spectators. Its most distinctive feature is the imposing titanium and glass structure, shaped like an egg, which is entirely surrounded by an artificial lake that reflects the whole facility.
The only entrance to the structure is through a tunnel that runs below water level. The interior has been divided into three main sectors: the Opera Hall, the Music Hall and the Theatre Hall.
The lighting system is Clay Paky-based, including 98 Alpha Profile 1200, 90 Alpha Wash 1200 and 18 Alpha Spot 700. This wide range of fixtures reflects their choice to entrust the entire intelligent lighting system to the Italian firm, from the "spot" effects to the wash colours, and the endless applications provided by the professional framing system of the Alpha Profile 1200, says Clay Paky.
ACE (Advanced Communication Equipment) was appointed to install the Clay Paky products at the National Grand Theatre as, for many years now, it has been successfully distributing Clay Paky products in the Chinese market. Bingo Tso, the owner of the firm comments, "It is a great honour for us to distribute the Clay Paky products in China: in a market where hundreds of small firms, which lack in experience and use low quality products, are cropping up from nowhere, we are delighted to be able to count on the experience and proven professional standards of our Italian partner."
(Jim Evans)
