The Small Theater at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) went into operation Friday, ahead of China's eight-day National Day holiday.

A total of 15 art shows are to be given during the holiday beginning on Oct.1. Among the artists to take the stage are Russian pianist Alexander Kobrin, American Chopin Competition winner Kevin Kenner and Chinese guitarist Yang Xuefei.

The vice president of NCPA Deng Yijiang said, "The theater is mainly to offer chamber music concerts, small recitals, experimental plays and modern dance."

Small theater tends to give less traditional art shows and usually have a small capacity.

Equipped with an elevator stage, retractable stands and cutting-edge sound diffusion walls, it can seat 556 spectators. It is on the southwest section of the NCPA, immediately to the west of Tiananmen Square.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2009)