From Theatre of the Absurd to Kunqu

10.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming

The Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe discuss their acclaimed production The Chairs – a Kunqu adaptation of Eugène Ionesco’s 1952 classic absurdist play Les Chaises – a minimalist production that incorporates traditional Kunqu techniques to offer a new perspective on the absurdity and loneliness of human existence

Experimental Chinese Opera Festival 2020

10.10.2020 to 15.11.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Highlighting new perspectives on contemporary Chinese opera, this year’s festival includes performances of the experimental Cantonese opera productions Wenguang Explores the Valley and Farewell My Concubine (New Adaptation), as well as sharing sessions with four regional troupes

Gaojia Opera’s Comic Tales of Human Lives

17.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming

Artists from the Jin Liansheng Gaojia Opera Troupe of Xiamen City introduce their production Sister A Da – a morality tale about a well-meaning but hapless protagonist – and discuss how traditional comic techniques can be merged with contemporary elements to tell stories that resonate with audiences today

Paper Puppet Making Workshop: Lion Dance Head

17.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Join our hands-on handicraft workshop and create your own paper puppet lion dance head and learn more about this unique cultural tradition

Experimental Cantonese Opera "Wenguang Explores the Valley" – Xiqu Centre

22.10.2020 to 27.10.2020, Studio 1, Xiqu Centre

The Xiqu Centre’s second experimental Cantonese opera production, this adaptation of an ancient tale of the legendary Yang generals combines traditional and contemporary theatre practices, and presents Wenguang’s contemplation of his family legacy as a metaphor for the preservation and innovation of Cantonese opera in the modern era

A Woman’s Perspective, Past and Present

31.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming

The Shanghai Yue Opera House discuss their immersive avant-garde production Destiny of Rebirth – a contemporary reimagining of a classic lyrical poem that merges modern aesthetics and traditional Yue opera techniques to explore past and present perspectives on female identity

Experimental Cantonese Opera "Farewell My Concubine" (New Adaptation) – Xiqu Centre

06.11.2020 to 13.11.2020, Studio 1, Xiqu Centre

Blending traditional Cantonese opera techniques with contemporary stage and lighting design, this groundbreaking production reinterprets the legendary story of the downfall of Xiang Yu, the self-proclaimed “Overlord of Western Chu”

Blending Peking Opera, Street Dance and Rock

15.11.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming

The young artists of Contemporary Legend Theatre, Taiwan share insight on creating cross-genre Peking opera productions for contemporary audiences and discuss their internationally acclaimed production Wu Song – The Tiger Warrior

HKDC in Residence 2020: VR Video

08.12.2020 to 13.12.2020

Moving between the real and the imaginary, Hong Kong Dance Company’s 15-minute virtual reality video is a vibrant, other-wordly immersive experience that offers viewers an unusual up-close glimpse into the world of traditional martial arts

The Battle

12.12.2020, The Box, Freespace

Part hip-hop dance off, part choreographed performance, The Battle is a cross-genre mix of street dance, contemporary dance, theatre, storytelling – an immersive, interactive experience, where audiences participate as spectators and judges, or as competitors in an experimental dance battle