U-Theater finds new home in Jinguashi

2015/07/09

U-Theater is set to continue sparkling as one of Taiwan’s top drumming group after relocating to its new home in the former Benshan gold mine at Jinguashi, New Taipei City.

Since establishment in 1988, the troupe has operated out of Laochuan Hill nature reserve in Taipei City’s Muzha District. But last year, environmental groups expressed concerns over plans to transform the reserve into a cultural landscape.

Liu Ruo-yu, artistic director of U-Theater, said she immediately agreed to relocate after discovering the troupe’s plan could cause significant damage to the reserve. This move earned her high praise from the activists, who said they had never encountered such willingness to sacrifice for the good of the environment.

According to Liu, she utilized her extensive network to find a new location for the group. “When I came to Jinguashi, I immediately knew this would be the right place for us,” she said.

“Facing the sea on one side and mountains on the other, this is the perfect spot to be at one with Mother Nature. It also reminds me of the troupe’s first performance venue in Avignon, France.”

Inspired by the group’s new home and surrounding community, U-Theater will present its love story “Hometown of Gold” Aug. 8 to Sept. 13 at Shui-Jin-Jiu Art Festival in Jiufen. The event is named after Shuinantong, Jinguashi and Jiufen areas of New Taipei.

Liu said the troupe’s latest offering includes a cast of characters drawn from the area’s past as a boom-and-bust center for mining from the late 19th century. “People came from all over Taiwan to the region, bringing their desires, hopes and passions,” she said. “There were also foreign prisoners of war interned by the Japanese during World War II.

“This smorgasbord of stories is sure to excite festivalgoers and help them reinterpret a special part of Taiwan through the prism of performance.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=232356&ctNode=413)