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.

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.