All Wuzhen's a theater

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It seemed like an average festival four years ago, mainly attracting cult followers of theater. However, The Wuzhen Theater Festival has turned into a very influential event nowadays, with hundreds of performances held both in theaters and on the streets. Some even say they know the town of Wuzhen simply because of the festival.

Wuzhen Theater Festival turns five years old this year. In that short time, it has become one of the most influential theater events in China – and perhaps the most distinctive one. The festival actually started from what founder Huang Lei said was a "daydream."

The ancient water town of Wuzhen. /CFP Photo

Huang directed and starred in a hit TV series called "Time Goes By." It was shot in Wuzhen.

After he traveled to the town years later, he drank with a friend and said it might be a good idea to hold a theater festival there.

With the help of playwright Stan Lai, experimental theater pioneer Meng Jinghui, and entrepreneur Chen Xianghong, his dream came true.

Meng Jinghui (left) and Huang Lei (right) are two of the founders of the Wuzhen Theater Festival. /CFP Photo

A twin-lotus-shaped theater was built there in 2013, ready to open the first festival. Six small theaters converted from the town's everyday past also were ready to use. All the theaters are within walking distance to each other, adding to the cozy atmosphere and convenience for theater-goers.

Celebrated writer-director Robert Brustein, one of the most influential names of the American modern theater, was invited as the event's honorary chairman. The festival opened with Stan Lai's epic eight-hour play, "A Dream Like A Dream."

And later festivals didn't aim any lower. Later opening shows were "Green Snake" by renowned female director Tian Qinxin, "The Physicists" by German director Herbert Fritsch, and veteran playwright Lin Zhaohua's new play, "Doctor Gordo, or Six Persons looking for the 18th Camel."

Each festival features "Specially Invited Plays" featuring established dramatists. Examples include the "Young Theater Artist's Competition," showing works by upcoming youngsters, and "Outdoor Carnival," speaking to shows from the street. There are also workshops, discussions and classes taught by masters.

During the festival, it's like the town has transformed into a huge stage. Shows are staged both in and out of theaters. And here everyone is an artist because they are immersed in plays and can easily be part of a play on the street.

This year's Wuzhen Theater Festival will be held from October 19 until 29. /CFP Photo

The festival has been like a magnet to attract established dramatists from around the world. CGTN caught up with many of them over the festival's first four years.

When they first came up with the idea for the festival, the founders were thinking of something like the UK's Edinburgh Art Festival, or France's Avignon Festival. And considering how quickly things have developed, it looks like they're ready to play the part.

1085km