Locals admire photos on display at the Gengsu Theater in Nantong. [Photo/zgnt.net]

An exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Gengsu Theater is ongoing at the hall of the theater.

A number of photos recording the development of the theater over the past century are on display.

These include one taken on its opening day when Peking Opera masters Mei Lanfang and Ouyang Yuqian performed on stage.

The theater was founded by Zhang Jian, a famous contemporary industrialist and top scholar in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). 

It looked like a horseshoe from outside and consisted of an audience hall, a stage and dormitory for performers. The audience hall was divided into two floors and could house 1,200 people. 

Equipped with advance facilities, it ranked as one of the top theaters nationwide then.