Wuzhen Theatre Festival returns for fifth year

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‍The Wuzhen Theater Festival has officially started. It aims to become China's answer to the Avignon or Edinburgh festivals, building a base where drama enthusiasts can indulge in art and the exchange of ideas.

"All Wuzhen's a stage," to paraphrase Shakespeare, "and all the courts and alleys full of players".

The 1,300-year-old water town is putting on a show of shows, turning the place into a dreamland for theater aficionados from all around the globe.

Handout Photo from Wuzhen Theater Festival

From October 19 to 29, a total of 24 productions from 12 countries and regions will present 100 performances at the historic scenic town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province.

Founded by a team of prestigious theater directors and actors including Meng Jinghai, Stan Lai and Huang Lei as well as the President of Wuzhen Tourism Chen Xianghong, the event has never hidden its ambition to become one of the world's top theater festivals.

Handout Photo from Wuzhen Theater Festival.

CGTN spoke with festival founders Huang Lei and Meng Jinghai, who shared more about the creative process behind the event and their expectations.

"It's really a dream come true. The festival started out as a very private thing, something spontaneous that we came up with. We're all amazed to see it grow and thrive. The Wuzhen Theater Festival is unique its own way, unlike anything else in the world," said Lei, actor and co-founder of Wuzhen Theater.

Huang Lei sits down for an interview with CGTN's Shen Li. /CGTN Photo

"I think the biggest breakthrough is the influence brought by the Wuzhen Theater Festival to the world. This festival has become a cultural symbol of the 1,300-year-old town. And the communication from the arts, dramas and many other aspects, is more powerful than previous years," noted Meng, theater director and co-founder of the festival.

The festival has attracted a number of world-renowned theater troupes and productions to Wuzhen, many of them making their debut.

Handout Photo from Wuzhen Theater Festival.

Apart from the heavyweights, the event also features the Young Theater Artist's Competition for local youths to submit their works.

"We created the festival not only to display international theatrical works but also to offer young talent a platform to start their careers. It's part of the momentum of the event," Meng said.

The festival will also feature street art, music, traditional Chinese opera and juggling.

1084km