The National Grand Theatre, which looks like an eggshell, will partially open to the Beijing public June 15th.

They will be allowed to stroll around the building and even touch the titanium and glass surface.
However, they will not be allowed inside the 6,000-seat theatre since interior work is still going on. The theater's design harmonizes with its surroundings.

Water is a must in traditional Chinese gardens, and it is also incorporated in the theater's design.
The building rises from a 35,500-square meter shimmering lake. The reflection of the theater in the lake makes the building look like an egg.

It consists of an opera house, a concert hall, and a drama theater. It will host its first performance at the end of September, said Wang Zhengming, vice-president of the theater.

Wang also announced the theater's three general art supervisors and 18 members of the art committee. The committee will work as a consultation body, while the selection of performances will be the task the supervisors.

Xu Xiaozhong, former president of the Central Academy of Drama and one of the three supervisors, said they would not only stage Chinese and international classics, but also innovative works by young artists.

(China Daily 06/15/2007)

Questions:

1.What 3 specific halls does the new theater have?

2.When is the theater's first official performance?

Answers:

1.Opera house, concert hall and a drama theater.

2.September.

（英语点津 Linda 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Suzann Riddle is a senior double majoring in Health Care Management and Economics at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. She finds herself at China Daily Website after visiting many areas of China as a Holland Fellow, Appalachian's international exchange program with Fudan University.