Wuzhen Theatre Festival: Young stage artists dazzle at competition
Updated 14:07, 30-Oct-2019
By Sun Tianyuan
02:45

China's stars of the stage are set to shine at this year's Wuzhen Theatre Festival. One major component of the event is the Emerging Theater Artists Competition. Over 500 entries were submitted, and among them, 18 have been shortlisted.

One of the entries is "¥16.5" (十六块五), a story about desire, disguise, and a woman trapped in a man. The one-person drama's scriptwriter, director and actor Wei Yihuan expressed her passions for theatrical art with utmost audacity and creativity in her portrayal of finding her true self as a transgender.

"I think it (the Wuzhen Theatre Festival) is a good opportunity to learn from each other and also kind of give you a good view of what is going on really outside your circle," said Wei.

The Wuzhen Theatre Festival, held in the ancient water town Wuzhen in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, has entered its 7th year. This year's theme is "Emerge." /CGTN Photo

The Wuzhen Theatre Festival, held in the ancient water town Wuzhen in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, has entered its 7th year. This year's theme is "Emerge." /CGTN Photo

The contestants' work have to incorporate this year's festival's theme – "emerge." There are also three other elements required in the plays – an invisible person, a key, and an air ticket.

Theater critics say the quality of work from the young talents is on a steady rise. And almost every year there are several dark horses that shock the audience with marvelous scripts and acting skills and have pleasantly surprised the judges.

"We see an abundance of vitality, creative vitality in young people who are eager to express themselves. And I've seen a growth and maturity that is totally unexpected, and also in the diversity of the work submitted all over China," said Raymond Zhou, a judge who's been with the young artists competition from the start.

Zhou believes there is a gem in everyone, and many of the works from the young artists are from reality – the kind of life they live, where their inspiration came from. The film and theater critic added that he sensed the rigorous training some contestants received, since there are more schools across China teaching drama and performing arts.

Two actresses perform at the competition at Wuzhen Theatre Festival 2019. /CGTN Photo

Two actresses perform at the competition at Wuzhen Theatre Festival 2019. /CGTN Photo

As for audiences at the festival, they are in for a treat with 18 original plays across a broad spectrum. 

"That's hugely important not only for the young emerging artists but for the state of theater art in particular in China," said Joseph Graves, who came to the festival for the first time.

"Great artists from all over the world are attracted to the festival at Wuzhen led by the terrific Chinese artists here. So that's melding East and West. I think it's a magical thing for theater and for we who are audience who come to enjoy that kind of thing," Graves added.

The finals of the young artists competition will be held in West Warehouse Theatre, Wuzhen on Saturday – a day drama fans won't want to miss. The young stage artists will need to win the audience's applause and the jury's votes to win the competition.

(Cover image: Wei Yihuan plays a transgender in her work "¥16.5" at the Emerging Theatre Artists Competition at Wuzhen Theatre Festival 2019. /CGTN Photo)