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A more compact gala experience

Updated: Feb 12,2015 10:05 AM     

With the Chinese Lunar New Year fast approaching, CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala is in its final stages of preparation. The Gala will be aired live on the eve of the Lunar new year and is an integral part of the holiday season. Now in its third rehearsal, a surprising change has been made to the gala.

The Gala has been shortened by a full hour, making everything more compact, including the comedy sketch by one of China’s most beloved comedians, Cai Ming.

“Ever since the first rehearsal, we’ve been constantly changing the script. We want to present a new experience on the stage,” Said Cai Ming, sketch comedy performer.

The evaluation team has requested that Cai Ming shorten her show by 1 minute. The entire duration of the Gala has been cut down to 4 hours and 50 minutes.

“The Gala is in a state of flux while it’s being prepared. We have an evaluation team monitoring the quality of the shows, and we also brought audiences to the rehearsals to help gauge the merit of the shows. This is how we make adjustments to the gala’s content,” Said Yang Lailai, executive director of Spring Festival Gala.

Two dramas and two musical shows have been removed from the second rehearsal. The third rehearsal features 38 shows, including 10 dramas, 22 musicals, and 6 magic and acrobatic shows.

But there’s no telling which shows will appear in the final version or if the ones removed will make a comeback. One thing, however, is certain; the rehearsal audiences will be a factor in the final decision.

“I’ll clap harder for the shows I like, because I want to see them in the final version.”

CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala has been held on Lunar New Year’s Eve every year since 1983, and this year it aims to live up to its reputation and deliver the most entertaining experience possible.