Deng Yijiang, vice-president of National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) displays a photo album of performances staged by the NCPA. The album was collected by a loyal fan. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ Xu Liuliu]

About 1,000 lucky dogs will have a chance to visit the futuristic egg-shaped 'National Centre for the Performing Arts' ( NCPA) for free on the first anniversary of its opening on December 22nd, Deng Yijiang, vice-president of the NCPA revealed at a recent press conference.

These lucky people are those who have already reserved them in advance via NCPA's official website chcnpa.org.

According to the program, the lucky citizens will have the opportunity to view three exhibitions focusing on theatre culture, Peking opera and the first anniversary of the NCPA. Of course, they will also enjoy live performances on the day they show up for the visit to the "egg" theatre.

Concerts and operas that are scheduled to be held during the week of Dec. 20 to 25 in the NCPA include the most anticipated Peking Opera version of John Woo's "Red Cliff".

Directed by Zhang Jigang, assistant director of the August 8 Olympic Opening Ceremony, the operatic version of "Red Cliff" is the first production created by the NCPA, and will assemble opera masters like Yu Kuizhi, Meng Guanglu and Li Hongtu.

Since its opening last year, the theatre has organized nearly one thousand classic performances including operas, ballets, dramas and symphonies. Besides this, the

NCPA is also making effort to popularize art education by offering some 330 educational concerts, demonstrations, and art exhibitions to young people.