Anhui Grand Theatre

Anhui Grand Theatre

The Anhui Grand Theatre was built in 1954, covering an area of 4,835 square meters, with a seating capacity of over 1,400 spectators. It is an iconic (Hui-style) cultural building in Anhui Province. Party and state leaders such as Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, and Zhu De once watched artistic performances here. The theatre’s performance hall, spanning over 800 square meters, can accommodate more than 600 spectators. There are 28 boxes of varying sizes on the second-floor balcony. The T-shaped stage covers an area of over 300 square meters, featuring a lifting platform, electronic screens, and audio equipment and effects that meet top domestic standards. It is suitable for full-length theatrical performances as well as concerts and song-and-dance galas.

According to the *Hefei Annals*, the Anhui Grand Theatre is located in the central area of the old city. Construction began in 1953, and it was completed and put into use on December 26, 1954. It was the first large-scale theatre in Anhui Province with a classical Chinese architectural style, built with state investment after the liberation of Hefei, with a construction area of 3,590 square meters.

The theatre features a glazed tile roof. The auditorium is divided into upper and lower levels, with 1,420 soft-seat sofas. The surrounding red pillars are adorned with palace lanterns, and the interior decoration mainly consists of three-dimensional relief carvings. The roof is covered with imitation Ming Dynasty yellow and green glazed tiles. The beams and columns inside the hall are decorated with classical palace-patterned reliefs, complemented by palace lanterns and wall lamps. Each section of the ceiling is illuminated by colorful neon lights. The overall exterior of the theatre is dignified and elegant, while the interior is magnificent and refined.