The internationally acclaimed modern dance spectacle The Creamery and Cheese by New Zealand’s Java Dance was staged at the Theatre Young’s main stage in Shanghai from 24th to 26th November. Known for their innovative approach to storytelling, Java Dance brought their signature style to the stage, captivating audiences with a mesmerising fusion of movement, music, and narrative.

In addition to the performances, Java Dance and Theatre Young to present a full-day Cheese Town event, extending audience interaction beyond the stage. Workshops, a book house, square dances, and various other exciting activities transformed every corner of the theatre into a vibrant hub. Families enjoyed a weekend filled with art and theatre, as artistic education seamlessly integrated into daily life.

In December 2023, the poignant physical theatre piece Nature of Forgetting produced by Theatre Re, concluded its run at the Theatre Young in Shanghai, marking a profound moment in the cultural landscape we’ve cultivated. This production delves into the narrative of a patient grappling with Alzheimer’s disease. On Tom’s 55th birthday, the tactile sensation of clothing triggers a cascade of memories, blending fragments of friendship, love, and guilt from his youth into a chaotic collage, as if slipping further away from his grasp with each passing moment.

Looking ahead, Theatre Re is set to return to China in the coming years, with both Nature of Forgetting and their acclaimed production Birth, further enriching the theatrical landscape and deepening the cultural exchange between China and the United Kingdom. As stewards of artistic collaboration, we are committed to fostering meaningful connections and facilitating transformative experiences for audiences across borders.

White Rabbit, Red Rabbit by Nassim Soleimanpour, was produced into a Mandarin version by Beijing Inside-Out Theatre in 2017 and received high praise. Recently embarked on a new journey in different cities beyond Beijing.

This play demands that each performance feature a different actor, who, upon taking the stage, tears open a sealed kraft paper envelope to touch the script for the first time. They then pull out a notepad and begin to read, unfolding the story in real time as they progress.

This year, special guest performances including theatre director Mai Zi, comedian Doudou Li, Liu Shou, and Jiayu Liu to open the script in Beijing Inside-Out Theatre. And invited masters in hosting, stand-up comedy, and crosstalk including Shao Hua, Li Yang, and Hexiang Yan in Shanghai Jing’an Modern Drama Valley.

Nassim is an acclaimed work created by renowned Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour, transcends cultural barriers and connects audiences through the universal language of theatre. This year, the Chinese version of Nassim was adapted and invited by Beijing Inside-Out Theatre. It’s a journey from Beijing to Xi’an, inviting different performers each night to unveil the sealed script from a mysterious box. This process highlights the profound influence of language in both separating and uniting people.

The narrative unfolded at the Shanxi Grand Theatre, featuring esteemed actor Benyi Zhang on 9th June and Zichuan Wang on 10th June. Their performances opened new vistas into the power of language and storytelling. The adventure continued at the Beijing Inside-Out Theatre from 22nd to 24th June, where Nassim Soleimanpour collaborated with the Dan Li Ren Comedy Company, offering diverse and insightful interpretations.

The interactive physical performance 25 Feet is a unique Dutch-Chinese collaboration, created by The100Hands, a renowned dance group from the Netherlands. This compelling performance is co-produced with Shanghai 2332 Studio, featuring local adaptations and the artistic talents of Chinese artists Liao Shuyi and Wu Xiaobo. 25 Feet was previewed at 77 Theatre in Beijing, then staged at the Shanghai International Dance Centre Theatre and supported by the Dutch Performing Arts Fund.

25 Feet is an exploration of the nuances inherent in three types of spaces where the most violent or intimate acts tend to occur: intimate social space, personal space, and private space. Participants are invited to join the artists in a journey through these spaces, exploring the subtle and often unnoticed differences within a range of 25 feet. The performance transcends a mere physical exploration, encouraging attendees to navigate through varying degrees of closeness and density, from distant to intimate, thereby examining the intricate relationship between these spaces and the human body.

Uber Happy is an exuberant theatrical piece that captures the lively and sometimes tumultuous lives of delivery drivers. This international co-production with Beijing Inside-Out Theatre was commissioned by and showcased at the Shanghai Jing’an Modern Drama Valley. It featured an innovative collaboration with skilled Chinese actors under the direction of Rachael Savage, Artistic Director of Vamos Theatre. Despite pandemic challenges, Savage creatively led the project, organising remote auditions and rehearsals through online video platforms.

The show was noted for its use of Russell Dean’s specially designed masks. Lasting 15 minutes, Uber Happy combines the talents of three bicycle-riding actors, playful dance routines, light-hearted music, and a series of amusing, unexpected delivery scenarios. At the 2021 Shanghai Jing’an Modern Drama Valley, the show achieved remarkable success, enchanting over 12,600 attendees.

Oedipus and Kings of War was produced by Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, and screened as part of the Wuzhen International Theatre Festival 2021, from 17th October to 20th October.

Ivo van Hove’s Kings of War merges Shakespeare’s plays Henry V, Henry VI, and Richard III into a dynamic performance focusing on political leadership, power, and the ethical dilemmas faced by rulers. Alternatively, Oedipus directed by Robert Icke and performed by the International Theater Amsterdam ensemble, reimagines Oedipus as a 21st-century politician. On election night, he uncovers a devastating secret about his identity, leading to a tragic downfall that highlights the fragility of existence and the challenge of controlling one’s destiny.

ILIAS produced by Orkater was screened as part of the Jinxi Ancient Town Art Festival 2020 in China. The Ilias is a philosophical and absurd journey exploring whether enlightenment invariably leads to morality. It utilises the Trojan War as a means to question human responsibility. In this contemporary adaptation, five young lads portray the roles of four soldiers and one woman, ensnared in a massacre that appears doomed to persist indefinitely.

The Jinxi Ancient Town Art Festival took place from 30th September to 6th October 2020. It comprised four segments: an animation exhibition, performance practice, international discussion, and an art workshop. In the outdoor public areas and historic buildings of the ancient town, 42 works from 11 countries were presented, attracting around 180,000 tourists and art lovers from across the country.

A Doll’s House produced by Jo Strømgren Kompani was screened as part of the Jinxi Ancient Town Art Festival 2020 in China. This adaptation offers a fresh, irreverent perspective on Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama, whilst maintaining its essence and exploring new viewpoints. Traditionally centred on women’s rights, this rendition extends beyond the domestic disputes of Nora and Torvald Helmer. It draws attention to the trio of supporting characters – Kristine Linde, Niels Krogstad, and Doctor Rank – indicating that a subtle shift in focus can uncover more contemporary and diverse interpretations of the play.

The Jinxi Ancient Town Art Festival took place from 30th September to 6th October 2020. It comprised four segments: an animation exhibition, performance practice, international discussion, and an art workshop. In the outdoor public areas and historic buildings of the ancient town, 42 works from 11 countries were presented, attracting around 180,000 tourists and art lovers from across the country.

My Perfect Mind produced by Told by an Idiot, was screened as part of the Jinxi Ancient Town Art Festival 2020 in China. Paul Hunter, the Artistic Director of Told by an Idiot, was interviewed about the company’s approach to Shakespeare as an introduction to the screening. He delivered an online talk with professors from Shanghai Theatre Academy, Guangrun Rong and Mei Wei, and a writer and director from Beijing Opera Theatre, discussing the possibilities of modernising and internationalising traditional Chinese opera.

The Jinxi Ancient Town Art Festival took place from 30th September to 6th October 2020. It comprised four segments: an animation exhibition, performance practice, international discussion, and an art workshop. In the outdoor public areas and historic buildings of the ancient town, 42 works from 11 countries were presented, attracting around 180,000 tourists and art lovers from across the country.