CHINATOWN Shanghai is the latest creation by entertainment veteran Norman Gosney and dancer/actress Amelia Kallman. British-born Gosney is credited with transforming nightlife in New York and L.A. over the past 25 years by rekindling the thrill of live variety performance at his world famous clubs, including The Slipper Room, Show and The Blushing Diamond Revue. The pair will bring the same formula to Shanghai, which is swiftly regaining its crown as one of the world’s hippest cities.

CHINATOWN will be “like stepping into a Hollywood movie that is set in pre-war Shanghai,” says Gosney. It will not only add a welcome dose of diversity to Shanghai’s nightlife scene, but is destined to become a must-see Shanghai attraction and one of the most memorable nightlife and event venues in the world.

The Venue

CHINATOWN occupies an extraordinary piece of Shanghai’s architectural heritage – a 1931 Buddhist shrine in atmospheric Hongkou District, just three blocks from Shanghai’s famous Bund waterfront. The structure’s elaborately arched ceiling and original Hindu exterior detailing seem perfectly suited to its present incarnation as a unique music hall. Its interiors shimmer in rich ruby tones and dark woods, with brilliant gold balconies and velvet draperies.

The three-storey club seats around 200 people, making it big enough for extravagant stage productions yet small enough to feel intimate and allow interaction between the performers and audience. The first level hosts the stage, with tiered banquettes and low tables, plus a main bar. The balcony level consists of seven exclusive boxes for four to 12 people each, with privileged views of the stage or curtains that you can close for private gatherings. These are serviced by a balcony bar, as well as liquor cabinets in each suite featuring premium spirits. On the third level, under a sloping roof, is a cosy, invitation-only Observatory Bar, looking right over the stage.

CHINATOWN boasts a unique audio profile. It is the first club in China to feature the world's most cutting-edge sound system, specifically designed for the venue and sponsored by Sennheiser Microphones and K Array Audio Solutions. Coupled with an exceptional lighting and AVl configuration, the venue will not only come magically alive during evening performances, but is also generating attention and bookings for feature film shoots, runway shows, private concerts, and corporate events.

The Show

Vivacious dance and variety performances are held every Wednesday through Saturday at timely intervals throughout the evening. Choreographed by Matt Mohr, New York’s premier producer of Off Broadway and Burlesque theatre, the show combines Cabaret, Moulin Rouge, Neo-Vaudeville, Broadway and Classic Vegas performed by a chorus line of extravagantly costumed showgirls. There are also flamboyant musicians and specialty acts from around the world, including The Twins from Shanghai.

Headlining the evening show is star singer Frank Bray, described by Gosney as “the Number One lounge singer in the world today, who can sing, dance and charm the pants off.” The show will be predominantly in English but with witty cross-cultural references that will amuse and delight all audiences. In the performance intervals, there will be cigarette girls, dessert trolleys and people selling hot dogs to the second floor boxes on stilts.