FunFactory opens in Beijing

Xiaoguo Culture, a Shanghai-based comedy company, has launched a theatrical space in Beijing's historical and newly renovated Longfu Temple on Friday.

The space, FunFactory, will host a series of activities including open mics, standup comic shows, improv interactive shows, exhibitions and comic trainings, seeking to enrich the cultural life of residents in the capital.

The FunFactory has a total area of 746 square meters and a performance space that can accommodate up to 300 people.

"Although its capacity may not be as large as some landmark theaters, the space is especially built for comedies, which offers a great potential for the comic industry," Ye Feng, the founder and chairman of Xiaoguo Culture, said.

He added that during this year's Spring Festival, talk shows were the top-performing offline shows in Beijing, earning a box-office revenue of 16.86 million yuan ($2.43 million). The opening of the FunFactory will bring in new momentum for the development of Beijing's standup comedy scene.

The space is expected to be a platform for emerging comedians to hone their skills and strut their stuff and for comic industry practitioners to conduct exchanges.

Pan Yan, deputy director of the China Association of Performing Arts, said that Xiaoguo Culture is one of the leading companies in China's comic industry. During the past three years of the pandemic, the performance industry has been greatly influenced, but stand-up comedy has emerged as a highlight. With its intimate venues, flexible forms, and broad appeal to young audiences, this comedy form has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity and is expected to bring vitality to the overall development of the performance industry.

From April 21 to May 21, FunFactory will hold more than 20 shows for the audience during its opening period, with 60 comedians taking turns to perform.

The lineup also includes a rich array of offline activities such as scriptwriting workshops, exhibitions, and markets, all aimed at providing an immersive and engaging cultural experience for the audience.