Co-founded by several Chinese actors and directors, Wuzhen Theater Festival has become a cultural symbol of Wuzhen, the 1,300-year-old water town. (Photo/Xinhua)
The Wuzhen Theater Festival kicked off on Thursday in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province. Under the theme of "Gaze Beyond", the Fourth edition invited artists and performers from 13 countries and regions for some nearly eighty shows.
Co-founded by several Chinese actors and directors, this festival has become a cultural symbol of Wuzhen, the 1,300-year-old water town.
"What we are doing is building a platform where every child, every young person could watch plays, listen to music and read novels," said Huang Lei, the co-founder.
In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the deaths of Shakespeare and Cervantes, a series of tribute performances will be staged.
"I couldn't see so many plays elsewhere because some of the plays are especially commissioned for the festival. It's really not easy to see so many good overseas plays and directors all at the same time."
The Young Theater Artists' Competition will be expanded from 15 to 18 plays. They will be performing simultaneously on theater stages.
In Yang Kaini's team, the average age of the members is around 20. Whithout any stage experience, they take the competition as a precious opportunity.
"We were exhausted from practice, but got quite excited once we were on stage."
Aside from an impressive array of drama, the festival will also feature street art, music, traditional Chinese opera and juggling.
The festival runs till October 22.
