Curtain falls in Wuzhen theater festival

In the canal town of Wuzhen, the international theatre festival has just ended, bringing to a close ten days of festivities. The event saw performers from around the world descend on the ancient town. The success of the event is further proof that the theatre industry in China is thriving.

A magical combination: the historic canal town of Wuzhen and a theatre extravaganza.

Cottages, bridges and even boats floating on the water. The atmosphere here creates an ideal stage.

The centrepiece is an exquisite performance space - the Wuzhen Grand Theater. The new architectural marvel appears to rise from the water that courses through this ancient town.

Three years and 500 million yuan later, this architectural spectacle has made that dream a reality, just in time for Wuzhen's Theatre Festival.

And what better way to kick things off than with renowned playwright Stan Lai's eight-hour play "A Dream Like a Dream".

The story starts with a bad first day at work for a medical school graduate. As her patients pass away one by one, she is forced to reconsider everything she knows about medicine.

"A Dream Like a Dream" has been a monumental start to the Festival. Following the show were playwright Meng Jinghui's "Murder at the Garden in the Air", and veteran director Tian Qinxin's acclaimed "Four Generations under One Roof".

But the Festival is doing far more than digging up China's past. It's also embracing the world. Some top names from abroad have brought their best productions, including "The Last Will" by American director Robert Brustein.

"I've been to many festivals... I've never seen any festival which has united western and easten cultures as Wuzhen promises to," said Robert Brustein, honorary chairman of Wuzhen theater festival.

Wuzhen is also a platform for new artists to showcase their talent and learn the industry.

Among the festival's four major categories is the young theater artist's competition.

12 plays with various themes and forms compete for the prize. All pieces seem to brim with refreshing originality.

"Each of them contains at least one very interesting idea or attractive feature, such as contemporary dance or a one-role play. We want a variety of forms and methods for the show, and their work has been extremely creative," producing director of wuzhen theatre festival Huang Lei said.

The Best Play award, with a prize of 200,000 yuan, goes to the realistic drama "Baba Mama."

But perhaps the most unique part of the festival is the non-stop carnival vibe playing out in the narrow streets and plazas of the town. Street theater, music, contemporary performance art, traditional Chinese opera and juggling-- nothing is out of place here.