Culture
15:51, 18-Oct-2017
US multimedia show to make world premiere at Wuzhen Theater Festival
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The world premiere of a new multimedia performance from the US will make its debut on Thursday at the 5th Wuzhen Theater Festival in east China.
"Fantomas: Revenge of the Image" is one of a hundred shows from around the world at this year’s festival in the ancient water town in Zhejiang Province. The crew has already been rehearsing in Wuzhen these days.
The show is an exploration of urban violence. /CGTN Photo
The show is an exploration of urban violence. /CGTN Photo
A glimpse of the rehearsal sees a big black box, where the audience will sit for the show. It will be the first unusual experience in the festival.
Director Travis Preston says they are trying to find and create a unique experience for the audience as much as possible. "It creates a very mysterious environment for the audience, one that’s very deceptive because it makes the space very strange."
Director Travis Preston gives notes for his cast during a break. /CGTN Photo
Director Travis Preston gives notes for his cast during a break. /CGTN Photo
During the 75-minute show, 15 people move the audience box 17 times. The audience are able to get either closer or further away from the actor. "The aim is to manipulate both space and emotions," Preston explained.
Looking from the outside, the set designer Drew Foster describes the audience group as a camera box, since they are placed into the lens of the camera as it’s moving across the space.
The audience unit is literally a huge black box. /CGTN Photo
The audience unit is literally a huge black box. /CGTN Photo
The show centers around a fictional character created by the French writers Marcel Allain and Pierre Souvestre. In telling the story of a phantom criminal, it explores urban violence as a facet of contemporary society.
Actor Peter Mark plays the role of Fandor, a detective in the story. He also feels thrilled about the performance. He thinks this experience is unlike anything he has seen as the audience will be in the box.
The crew consists of 25 people. /CGTN Photo
The crew consists of 25 people. /CGTN Photo
Instead of having subtitles, the show will be narrated in both English and Chinese, and the narration itself is regarded as a form of performance.
"Fantomas: Revenge of the Image" will have nine shows during the 11-day festival, with only 50 tickets available for each show.