Dadaocheng Theater Introduction
Dadaocheng Theater is located on the 8th and 9th floors of Yongle Market. Originally a garden before 1908, it was transformed into a market during the Japanese occupation, gathering nearly a thousand fabric shops, making it the largest fabric center in Taiwan. Dadaocheng is also known as the cradle of traditional opera, often referred to as the "perfume cave." The purpose of Dadaocheng Theater is to perform, promote, and preserve traditional opera. The 9th-floor theater hosts various traditional performances such as Holo opera, Peking opera, Nanguan, Beiguan, Hakka opera, and storytelling. The 8th-floor performance area regularly schedules puppet shows, Nanguan, and storytelling programs, while the first-floor plaza arranges cultural activities themed "Play in Theater." In the spring and autumn seasons, the venue offers cultural and artistic workshops covering opera, tea art, and fabric art, along with free cultural lectures and opera film screenings. The 8th-floor corridor exhibition area features a permanent exhibition of puppetry and occasional special exhibitions, with guided tours available for groups of ten or more. Various rehearsal rooms and multifunctional presentation rooms are also available for cultural groups to rent. Additionally, there are plans for promoting opera in schools, arts education programs, and training and performances for a youth Holo opera troupe, with a focus on passing down traditional opera and nurturing young talent.
