Edinburgh Festival Fringe audiences wowed by Taiwan art troupes

2017/08/24

Taiwan art troupes have been praised at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe after wowing audiences with innovative artistic performances, the Ministry of Culture said Aug. 22.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Taiwan artists have participated in the festival. The pieces being performed this year are modern dance programs “Together Alone” by Lee Chen-wei and Art B&B and “038” by Kuo-shin Chuang Pangcah Dance Theatre; “The Backyard Story” by Puppet Beings Theatre; and two works of dramatic theater, “Heart of Darkness” by Sun Son Theatre and “Never Ever” by Co-coism.

Performed by Lee and Zoltan Vakulya of Hungary, “Together Alone” has been shortlisted for the Total Theatre and The Place Award for Dance, an accolade presented by U.K.-based Total Theatre Magazine in recognition of outstanding artistic achievement. Every showing has been sold out, the MOC said, adding that audience members have included honored guests such as French Ambassador to the U.K. Sylvie Berman and French Consul General in Scotland Emmanuel Cocher.

The performances by Taiwan troupes at the Edinburgh festival have garnered positive reviews from art critics and international publications, with The Guardian describing “038”—which centers on Taiwan indigenous people in the 21st century and their journey for identity—as one of the most exciting dance pieces on the fringe this year. The paper said that, while “038” may look familiar at first, it progresses to “acquire a powerful, emotional imperative.”

“Heart of Darkness,” which explores concepts such as ambition, fear, secrets and time, was described by Scottish online arts and culture magazine The Wee Review as an interesting blend of movement, sound and theater. The performance utilizes traditional and contemporary elements delivered thoughtfully and carefully by a group of genuinely dedicated artists, the publication added.

This year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which runs Aug. 4-28, marks the 70th anniversary of the event. The 2017 program boasts over 53,200 performances of almost 3,400 shows taking place in 300 venues across the Scottish city.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=18&post=120404)