When music needs drama

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The experience with drama changed his attitude toward music and even his personality. "Musicals, opera and drama are art forms from the West. I can't help but wonder about the DNA of China's theater. I want to let more people share my feelings about theater, and so, I opened my own theater," he adds.

To him, the theater also takes music back to its original state. "When there is no CD, no radio or television, the only option to listen to music is to watch live performances," Xiao Ke says.

Recently, he performed for the first time at Xiao Ke Theater. Together with four other veteran musicians from Taiwan, including Yuan Wei-jen and Panda Hsiung, Xiao Ke performed a concert titled Influence, where they took audiences a decade back to the height of the performers' music careers.

"It feels so good to have such an intimate place to sing and play guitar for you guys," said Yuan Wei-jen, who has been a long-time friend of Xiao Ke, at the show in Xiao Ke Theater. "This is my debut performance in Beijing and I am happy to be here."

The theater, with a capacity of about 200 people, has a restaurant and a cafe on the first floor and a small venue on the second floor. The venue allows audiences to enjoy music and feel closer to the performers. According to Xiao Ke, he wants his theater to be like a bookstore or a supermarket, which is a necessary part of life.

So far the theater has held four shows, including drama, musical and experimental theater combining Peking Opera and shadow play with contemporary music. Xiao Ke has also invited his friends, such as famous singers Cheng Fangyuan and Lao Lang, to perform live shows.

"Theater is not my major but I feel grateful to theater, which enlightens me," says Xiao Ke.

He admits that setting up a theater is to fulfill his personal dream, but the commercial risk is high.

"I am not sure about the future of my theater. I just do what I want for now," he says. "My focus is still on music, and theater paves a new way to present my music."

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Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn.