From the end of April, most domestic and international performances were canceled due to the SARS outbreak. Peking opera "The Prosperity of Zhenguan Reign" performed by the Shanghai Peking Opera House on June 5 was the first to break the month-plus silence on local stages.

Now local performing groups are gearing up for a busy summer entertaining local theater buffs.

"With strict checkup procedures preventing the spread of SARS, it is time for the locals to enjoy art at theaters," said Liu Wenguo, vice president of Shanghai Media Group, which operates a number of performing groups in the city.

In June and July, local performing groups have scheduled 225 performances in theaters.

Starting in August, performances from Hong Kong, Taiwan and foreign countries will flood the city.

Taiwan pop singer Emil Chau will perform in August.

International performances are expected to return to town in the autumn, especially during the fifth Shanghai International Arts Festival from October 18 to November 18. Highlights include Britain's all-male ballet "Swan Lake."