Bringing together a diverse range of talent from the British arts and cultural establishment, Performance Infinity developed a series of training events for managers of theatres from across China. Held throughout the U.K. the aim of the training programme was to offer a highly instructive, and completely unique insight into the successful running of a theatre venue or cultural institution. The programme included over forty guest speakers such as noted luminaries; Sonia Friedman OBE, producer and founder of Sonia Freidman Productions, John McGrath the CEO and Artistic Director of Manchester International Festival. The outstanding breadth of knowledge and acumen offered by these individuals produced a deeply informative and highly educational training programme, helping to develop, encourage and improve the management of Chinese theatre venues.

In conjuncture with the official programme commemorating the 400^th year anniversary of the deaths of Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare, Performance Infinity enabled the Ludens Ensemble to take their production of ‘Macbeth: Without Words’ to Shanghai and Hangzhou. Directed by Philippos Philippou the production utilizes multiple aspects of visual technology to create an utterly unique interpretation of ‘Macbeth’. This process involved organizing the tour schedule, helping to ensure clear communications between international partners and developing media interest in a company operating in multiple Chinese venues.

Spotlites Venue 278, Edinburgh

As part of the initiative to reach as diverse an audience as possible Performance Infinity managed ‘Little Soldier Zhang Ga’. The brilliantly told story of a young Chinese boy’s spirit and determination, set against the backdrop of the Second World War. Combining both actors and puppets, Liu Xiaoyi, director of puppetry for China’s ‘War Horse’ production, created a piece of work both original and inventive. Co-written by Guo Yan, Chinese director of 2015 Edinburgh International Festival Dragon, the play is simple yet effective. Telling the story of how a peaceful village in Northern China is devastated by war. Performed by the Jing Ying Elite Theatre Group, the play and its imaginative use of puppetry highlighted the growing range of diverse theatre being created and produced in China.

Performance Infinity managed the ‘Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupes’ version of Tang Xianzu’s ‘The Peony Pavilion’ one of the most iconic plays of the Kunqu style. As the most renowned of Tangs ‘Four Dreams’ the play represents one of the most important pieces of work produced in China, and was this year performed by the globally esteemed Kunqu masters. This production was formed as part of the official programme to commemorate the 400^th year anniversary of Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare.

This production was part of the official 400^th year anniversary to commemorate the deaths of Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare, managed by Performance Infinity. ‘A Medley of Four Dreams of Linchuan’ is a celebration of three of Tang Xianzu’s most famous works, given even greater authenticity due to the Jiangxi Ganju Opera Troupe originating from Tang’s place of birth.

George Woods Theatre, London
9th August and Spotlites Venue 278, Edinburgh

Performance Infinity is committed to advancing and show-casing the best of China’s new wave of young talent. In collaboration with the Shanghai Theatre Academy, one of China’s most prestigious institutes for the development of Chinese creative arts, Performance Infinity helped to expose a new generation of young and fantastically accomplished performers to the U.K. This year the students of the Directing Department, led by Director Nicholas Barter, former Artistic Director of the Unicorn Theatre and RADA alumni, reimagined Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’. Setting the play in 1920’s China, their interpretation managed to incorporate elements of traditional Chinese etiquette, music and costume. In association with Performance Infinity the students performed at Goldsmiths University’s George Woods Theatre, as part of a cooperative initiative to develop ties between British and Chinese Universities. Their show was performed to a sold out audience, followed by a second show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. These performances represented an opportunity for the students of Shanghai Theatre Academy to showcase their immense talent, as well as a unique insight into British theatre. This production was part of the official commemorative program of events designed to mark the anniversary of Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare.

Performance Infinity in collaboration with the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe, assisted in managing their performance of the tragic romance ‘Romeo and Juliet’, part of the official programme marking the 400^th year anniversary of the deaths of Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare. One of Shakespeare most well-known and admired plays, it tells the tale of two lovers who defy being apart in spite of their family’s bitter feud. However, in the plays final tragic scenes their lives are lost, in no small part because of the animosity between the two lovers great house’s. The play offers the perfect opportunity for the ‘Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe’, honoured by China’s Cultural Communications Bureau as being the most famous performing arts troupe in China, the perfect platform to showcase their vast talent. The Kunqu form of Chinese opera pre-dates Shakespeare by around two hundred years and is noted for its emotionally charged portrayals, graceful imagery and poetic beauty. Critically acclaimed director, Wang Xiaoying, brought together both the finest traditions of Chinese and British theatre to create a truly special piece of work. The performance received a high degree of media attention both in the U.K and China, where it was featured on C.C.T.V, China’s national broadcasting agency.

Spotlites, Venue 278, Edinburgh

Performance Infinity produced this production alongside the Shijia Drama Club and Chongqing Foreign Language School. ‘Little Shakespeare’ is a medley of three of Shakespeare’s most famous works, each piece lasting twenty minutes. Ranging in age from ten to fifteen the two schools produced brilliant shorts from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear and Hamlet. Known as being two of the most prestigious institutes in China for the development of young theatrical talent, it was a brilliant opportunity for the students to be able to perform in Britain. As well as offering British audiences the chance to see some of China’s next generation of raising stars. This collaboration was part of the official programme commemorating the 400^th year anniversary of the deaths of Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare.

As part of the official programme commemorating the 400^th year anniversary of the deaths of Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare, Performance Infinity helped the ‘The Malachites’ break new ground by taking responsibility for their first international tour of China. This process involved organizing the tour schedule, helping to ensure clear communications between international partners and developing media interest in a company operating in China for the first time. Founded in 2013 ‘The Malachites’ are a site-specific theatre company who aim to reconnect Shakespeare and his plays to the area’s in which he lived and worked. As well as bringing their own unique style to an international audience. This year saw the Malachites take ‘Hamlet’, perhaps Shakespeare’s most revered play, to the Guangzhou Dramatic Arts Centre, China. Having previously played in venues ranging from historic gardens to Churches, this was an event not to be missed. In conjunction with Performance Infinity ‘The Malachites’ production received critical acclaim, performing to a sold out Chinese audience.

Performance Infinity helped to mark a significant year in global theatre, the four-hundred-year anniversary of two of the world’s most noted playwrights, William Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu. To highlight this the internationally renowned ‘Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe’ created a unique piece of work ‘Coriolanus and Du Liniang’, combining Shakespeare’s ‘Coriolanus’ with Xianzu’s ‘The Peony Pavilion’. As well as presenting the show Performance Infinity arranged a symposium event and two stand-alone showcases. This offered British audience members the chance to enhance their understanding of the ‘Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe’ and put question to its director Guo Xiaonan. The play Interweaves the story of the Roman general Coriolanus, ostracized by his own people, and Du Liniang, a young heroine who vividly dreams of the future lover she has yet to meet. In order to bring this exceptional piece of work to London, Performance Infinity, in its capacity as lead producers brought the show to London’s Peacock Theatre. Combining our experience and knowledge of London’s theatre market, we were able to deliver a highly successful sold-out performance. This was part of the official programme to commemorate the 400^th year anniversary of the deaths of Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare.

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