It's Showtime: Ningbo... Ayumi, Chicago & Wet Men!

Fresh from my West End shows in London, I had pledged to not be a stranger at the theatre! Ningbo had it coming? That Zhejiang city only had itself to blame! I'm referencing, 'Chicago!' Japan was calling, I was able to see Japanese pop icon, 'Ayumi Hamasaki' in Ningbo! Two Russian shows saw me returning to '宁波大剧院/Ningbo Grand Theater!' 宁波 got her moment! 

I have been listening to this Japanese singer for a long time, although I had never dreamed that I would get to see her in-concert in China! Let along in Ningbo! 'Ayumi Hamasaki' was making her way around Mainland China on her 'I Am Ayu Tour' during December 2024, I scrambled for a ticket when the Ningbo date was released! The security was tight as I arrived at Ningbo's Olympic Sports Center, I wasn't mad about the passport check or any other rules, it would make for a safe evening. I had pledged to not go to a music concert after the bombing that had taken place in Manchester during that infamous Ariana Grande show! Ayumi made that change happen! Making it to my seat wasn't difficult, the signage was clear and better still, the view was really good! Thankfully, the people who were sitting on the ledge didn't lean over that much. Of course, the Gays were out in their droves, in our numbers it was great to see such displays of freeness and love! Let's make another Ayu concert soon, but it must be when I'm in Japan! Yes! 

I recognised "Evolution" and "Boys & Girls" at first, even though I don't understand Japanese. I got my life whilst Ayumi performed those songs! "Moments" brought back memories, I remembered when I first started listening to Ayu's music, wanting to visit Japan to experience those sounds I had heard in the music. Believe me, it will happen and I have already tried to make that trip happen! That's a story for another day! "Voyage" brought a chilled pace, the arena was awash with pink waving lights as we all waved our arms in the air! Adoration was showed for Ayumi! A Pandemic favourite of mine was played with gusto, "春よ、来い", it felt surreal to hear her belt this song out! "Step You" took things back to the beginning for me, that had been the first Ayumi track I had listened to! The amount of times she said thank you to the audience was amazing, proving manners cost nothing! The orderly nature of the concert venue had me impressed, it gave me something to remember for the better. Ningbo had its own theatre? Sure! 

After my music concert in early December 2024, I wanted more from Ningbo! I had not been to the theatre in China since seeing "The Han Show" in Wuhan during 2016, that lengthy China hiatus needed to end! Rocking up at Ningbo's 'Grand Theater' felt correct, I had almost missed the show because I took the metro to the closest station that happened to be across the river! Nowadays, Line 6 had been extended to the theatre! 'Chicago' was my show of choice because a massive advertising campaign had been all over Ningbo, one display was down the street from me! Paying around £80 for my ticket, I had no regrets because the view was worth the price, having money is a blessing! Getting into the theatre with my screenshot was comical, the QR code wouldn't scan and being foreign confused the hell out of the staff! I made it to my seat just before the curtain was brought up! There would be no interval drinks because the theatre didn't have a bar! Roxy Hart wouldn't be the only criminal in the building! How, I wanted some wine! 

I had no idea who any the cast were but I had purchased my own bilingual brochure, I glanced at the cast before the show started! Following this Broadway style theatre show was easy, it was great to see the local audience enthused and following the show. The dramatics of the big numbers impressed me much, they had all definitely been driven to murder their better half! The cast was very caucasian, was that to appease the Chinese market? Matron Mama Morton was the only person of colour on the stage, her vocals were top class! There was a man up in Drag? Yes, the authorities hadn't censored this role because Mary Sunshine had audience members laughing! Having that injection of theatre and western culture was like a tonic, Ningbo isn't Shanghai! Chicago had its own story to tell, I absolutely want to visit the real place in the future! The pace of the show was a little slow for me, I stuck with it and I was glad for that reason! Ningbo's Grand Theater hadn't seen the last of me! Chicago was just the beginning! RU?

A lot of touring productions come from Russia due to economic ties and close-proximity to Mainland China. It would come to no surprise that the 'Russian Royal Ballet' came to Ningbo Grand Theater during early 2025, I wanted a slice of that 'Swan Lake' performance. It was a midweek night and I never usually do anything extra after work unless it's my scheduled massage. Booking those theatre tickets didn't take much thought because the price was low, no other ballet could be enjoyed for such a competitive price! The audience was on the smaller side but it was a cold night, a midweek it also was, many factors were present. I got comfortable, it was time to follow the show, Russia isn't a favoured country at the moment but the ballet proved the arts meant no harm. Swan Lake was a good watch, it was nice to have things hushed, each move was observed and you know those male dancers were never out of vision! Let's turn the heat up next time, Ningbo? Another Russian production in Ningbo? Let me digest the ballet, N!  

A Russian Magic Mike? I was intrigued by the nature of 'Wet Men!' It wasn't exactly giving Chippendales but I wanted to see what all the fuss was about! This all male Russian dance production was taking China by storm! Now, seeing full frontal sexualised shows in China doesn't happen, that's why people go to Thailand! Exactly! The audience didn't exactly give hungry Hen Dos but a certain feminine energy could be felt within the theatre. I had a great view, I was hoping for another great view of something else! Would I get my ungodly wish? The male dancers had visibly been in the gym but what was the compare chatting about? I know more Chinese than Russian, although the Mandarin subtitles didn't help me out. I shouted, "把裤子脱掉/Take off your trousers!" That remark was heard and by those audience members, they weren't expecting that! The water did cometh onto the stage, the dancers did serve a wet look but nothing more. It is mad to still see this show tour around Mainland China! What's next, Ningbo?

The Show Goes On... 

Desperately Seeking Adventure