The New Musical Lady M was created by talented British artists James Beeny and Gina Georgio, as a special commission for the ‘2022 Chinese Original Musical Incubation Project’ at the Shanghai Culture Square. Spearheading international production and managing copyright negotiations, Performance Infinity supported the production produced by Xu Jun Theatre, Poly Shang Yue Bay (Shanghai) Theatre Management Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Dong Hongqiao Theatre Management Co., Ltd. The production is scheduled for performance at the Shanghai 1862 Fashion Art Centre from 9 May to 2 June 2024. Featuring an international cast and presented entirely in English, this musical is a pioneering endeavour — the first English-language original musical incubated and world-premiered in Shanghai by a Chinese team, marking a significant milestone in the history of Chinese musical theatre.

The cast includes the well-known Dutch actor Maya Hakvoort in the role of Lady Macbeth, British actor Karl Queensborough in the role of Macbeth, with the highly acclaimed West End actor Richard Carson as Macduff, Tom Hiddleston, an active figure on the West End stage and in British music programmes, portrays Banquo. Additionally, 30 young and renowned Chinese actors are set to deliver captivating performances in this play.

The Mandarin version of 25Feet was co-produced with Shanghai 2332 Studio, in 2020, and staged in Beijing and Shanghai in 2022. This year, 25 Feet is back at the Shanghai International Dance Centre and Macau City Fringe.

Work.txt, an innovative production by British Artist Nathan Ellis, its Mandarin version was produced by Shanghai 2332 Studio and staged at Shanghai Theatre Art Centre’s D6 Space from 19th to 21st January 2024. This is a show without actors, and belongs to every participant, about work, industry, and the things that don’t make sense.

Imagine entering the theatre, selecting your seat, and as the lights dim, prompts appear, initiating a story about work that unfolds gradually before your eyes… Every attendee contributes to the narrative, making it a stage for everyone, and satisfying the desire for performance in all of us!

FeastFest Festival is a London-based community-led festival, we worked with our Chinese partner closely, presented the Shanghai edition from 20th May to 23rd June 2023. Delivered a range of events including Sonic X creative workshop, inspired by Newearth Theatre’s production Sonic Pho, supported by British Council, and digital screenings of productions from New Zealand Java Dance theatre, Eating Myself from British-Peruvian artist Pepa Duartes, and May Contain Food produced by Protein Dance.

FeastFest is a festival dedicated to those who enjoy food, art and life, brings together artists who take inspiration from food and create events that celebrate our diverse cultures through the shared language of eating. The Shanghai edition was curated together with local partners, with selected Chinese artists’ works and international artists’ works, in the interaction and collision of food and art to show the humanistic picture of food, especially the culture and food characteristics in Shanghai.

Having seen Control Freak created by Israeli artist Kulu Orr at the BE festival in London, we coordinated with the artist closely during the past years, to create good opportunities to present the piece to the Chinese audiences. Control Freak was staged at the Aranya Theatre Festival in China, from 15th to 17th June 2023. This remarkable piece unfolds across three distinctive performances, with each one dynamically shaped by the live interactions of the audience.

Orr’s ingenious self-designed instruments bring to life a theatrical experience that seamlessly integrates circus, music, and wearable technology—a true grand party of the senses. The production, characterised by its data-driven approach, unveils Orr’s unique and captivating physical audio-visual aesthetics. Control Freak invites audiences into an interactive world where their participation actively shapes the experience. Through interactive orchestral play and spontaneous compositions, audience reactions become integral to the show, creating a harmonious and unforgettable encounter.

The British dance theatre Juliet and Romeo was produced by Lost Dog and was staged at the Shanghai Young Theatre and the Shenzhen Biennial. The story departs from the traditional narrative, revealing that Juliet and Romeo did not succumb to miscommunication and tragic fate but instead lived on, navigating the complexities of life together.

The performance was covered by key local media, including China Central Television (CCTV). The enthralling performance by Lost Dog not only captivated the audience but also set the stage for potential tours in China.

Dance Theatre Drown Town was produced by Rhiannon Faith Company and staged as part of the Wuzhen International Theatre Festival in Exhibition Hall 5 from 23rd to 25th October. The story unfolds with six strangers, each burdened with their own dark past, arriving at a coastal location. Trapped between a fractured community and the vast desolation of the sea, they struggle to confront isolation, shame, and the inefficiencies of social service systems.

Having seen Rhiannon Faith Company’s digital presentation during the pandemic, we supported the programming of the company’s work Drown Town at the Wuzhen Theatre Festival and expedited the technical integration and international performance procedures. Throughout the pandemic, the shared experiences of people worldwide lent new significance to the performance of Drown Town. For us, reuniting with our esteemed collaborators, the Rhiannon Faith Company, was a meaningful experience.

The British student theatrical production Hole was one of two selected student productions invited and staged at the Wuzhen International Theatre Festival from 24th to 25th October. Crafted by playwright Tom Basden and directed by Lydia Cook, Hole is a sharp and darkly comedic portrayal of the apocalypse.

Set amidst the aftermath of the BA043 flight crash, Hole follows three mismatched colleagues and a young man stranded on a deserted island. As they indulge in aeroplane meals and duty-free liquor not meant for them, the dwindling survivors gradually realise amidst the wait for rescue that they might be humanity’s last hope. This poignant piece was brought to life by graduates of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Brazilian theatrical masterpiece Bras Cubas was the latest work by director Paulo de Moraes and produced by his renowned Armazém Theatre Company, adapted from the acclaimed novel by Brazil’s esteemed writer Machado de Assis, and staged as part of the Wuzhen International Theatre Festival in Sun Moon Plaza from 26th to 28th October.

This performance unfolded as a captivating journey through nonlinear storytelling, narrated by the departed, intertwining narrative, factual, and deconstructive threads with seamless dialogue. The enthralling performance by the Armazém Theatre Company at the festival not only captivated the audience but also set the stage for the commencement of their China tour. Following the resounding success of their debut in Wuzhen, they received performance invitations from leading theatres in 2024.

Eurydice was produced by Poland Teatr Biuro Podróży, an adaptation of ancient Greek mythology. Staged as part of the Wuzhen International Theatre Festival in Water Theatre from 26th to 28th October.

Director Paweł Szkotak reimagined this ancient myth with contemporary significance, finding within its timeless narrative the resilience of humanity to move forward amidst adversity—highlighting that only love can rescue humanity from the aftermath of its darkest moments, reigniting courage. The water theatre provided Teatr Biuro Podróży, known for its outdoor theatrical forms, with a unique and expansive performance space, resulting in stunning visual effects that left the audience in awe.