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The Dreams of Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu Inspire a Striking New International Collaboration - the Dreamer

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The Dreams of Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu Inspire a Striking New International Collaboration - the Dreamer Press release for immediate use The dreams of Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu inspire a striking new international collaboration - The Dreamer. European premiere - The Pleasance, Fringe 2017 “Its flowing beauty depicts a poetic landscape…When you lower your head, you immediately fall into it, just like Alice falls into the rabbit-hole. What you see and what you experience goes beyond your imagination.” Audience member THE DREAMER, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre in association with Gecko, is Gecko’s first international co-production. The show is inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Peony Pavilion, the work of his contemporary, Tang Xianzu (1550-1616). Ipswich-based physical theatre company Gecko celebrated the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with a new associate show as part of British Council’s Shakespeare Lives. The Dreamer premiered in China in October 2016 winning Best Stage Design – 2016 One Drama Awards, China. The European Premiere is 2 – 15 August at the Pleasance Grand PRESS PERFORMANCE Thursday 3 August at 1.30pm www.china-drama.com / www.geckotheatre.com / @GeckoTheatre / Facebook.com/GeckoTheatre1 The prestigious Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre in China has teamed up with Gecko to stage a new piece of work - THE DREAMER - inspired by two playwrights considered the most influential in their respective countries: William Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu. Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre is the only national performing arts company in Shanghai. Famous for its new Chinese-language dramas, as well as performing English-language classics in Chinese, its impressive team of actors, directors, writers and other creatives works across various venues in the French Quarter of the city. This is the company’s Fringe debut and the first time the ensemble has worked using physical theatre techniques. Gecko is an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company, led by Artistic Director Amit Lahav, established in 2001. In 2016 it won the Peter Brook Equity Ensemble Award and this production sees ensemble members Rich Rusk and Chris Evans lead in the creation of an associate show for the first time. 2016 marked not only the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death but also that of his Chinese contemporary, Tang Xianzu. Dreams were a leitmotiv for both writers and THE DREAMER reimagines a dream sequence, inspired by The Peony Pavilion and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Focusing on strong female characters within both plays and exploring the topics of magic, humour and love in classic Gecko style, the show blends emotionally driven movement, a spine-tingling soundscape and striking visual storytelling to bring a new twist to these classic works. “An amazing show! For its unique performing style, distinct stage design and music, The Dreamer is the most impressive show I’ve ever watched!” Audience member Created by Gecko’s associate director Rich Rusk and devising performer Chris Evans (Gecko’s: The Overcoat, Missing, Institute, The Time of your Life, The Wedding), The Dreamer is an international collaboration between Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre and Gecko, created as part of British Council’s 2016 Shakespeare Lives programme. The Dreamer premiered on 7 October at the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre. Amit Lahav, Artistic Director said: “Gecko has been touring to China since 2010 and audiences in the country are very fond of the company. It was extremely exciting to work on our first international co-production with Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre and their ensemble. Rich Rusk and Chris Evans have been working with Gecko for 15 years between them and I’m thrilled to see them take the lead on this very exciting international collaboration.” Rich Rusk, Gecko’s Associate Director said: “It was a huge highlight to work on Gecko’s first international collaboration with Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre which celebrates the international appeal and power of both Shakespeare and his contemporary, Tang Xianzu. We have created a Gecko-style visual feast, and invite our audiences to dive into the world of dreams and unleash their imagination. This co-production is a first of its kind for us so it has been very exciting to be a part of it.” Chris Evans, Movement Director said: “Gecko has been my home for the past six years, where as a maker and performer I’ve been able to throw everything I have into a show, and see how that process throws back at me challenges and ways to develop. This project enabled me to pull together these skills and provocations. The experience of making a whole production, taking responsibility for it and believing in our decisions as co-creators has been the most transformative experience of my career. “ Alex Wu, Producer at Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre said: “Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre has continuously been seeking to work with creative and ground-breaking artists from all over the world. After witnessing the success of Gecko’s touring productions Missing and The Overcoat in China, SDAC warmly invited Gecko to present a cross-cultural dialogue between the two giants in western and eastern theatre - William Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu – and discover the emotional connection between classics and modern people, aiming to bring energetic and profound theatrical work to both Chinese and British audiences, as well as audiences in other corners of the world.” Neil Webb, Director of Theatre & Dance at the British Council said: “Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre has been an important and trusted partner in our work in China for many years. Gecko meanwhile has appeared in several of our Edinburgh Showcases and toured extensively around the world, including in China. I am delighted to see these world-class organisations celebrating the profound influence of such world-class playwrights. And I look forward to seeing the finished work presented to audiences in China and the UK as part of our global Shakespeare Lives programme.” /ENDS For pictures and interviews please contact Susie Gray or Magda Paduch at The Corner Shop PR at [email protected] / [email protected] 0131 202 6220 / S: 07834 073 795/ M: 07583 164070 Notes to editors: The Dreamer Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre in association with Gecko Pleasance Courtyard, The Grand 2-4 August 1.30pm, £8.00 5-8, 11-13 August 1.30pm, £14.50 (£13.00) 10 August, 1.30pm, £12.50 (£11.00) 14 & 15 August, 1.30pm, £11.50 (£9.50) Running time approx. 1hr10mins. www.china-drama.com www.geckotheatre.com/the-dreamer Twitter: @GeckoTheatre Book tickets www.pleasance.co.uk CAST and CREATIVES Director: Rich Rusk Movement Director: Chris Evans Producer: Rosalind Wynn With performers from Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre: Liu Peng/Lan Haimeng, Yang Zi Yi, Wu Jing Wei, Zhao Yun Long, Zhou Zi Dan, Wang Wei Shuai, Yang Jing Ran, Li Chen Shan Musician: Ni Peiwen Design: Rhys Jarman Lighting Design: Chris Swain Original Music: Dave Price Technical Stage Manager: Andres Velasquez Assistant Director: Fang Ge For Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre: Executive Producer: Shaolin Yang Artistic Director: Lv Liang Producer: Wu Jia Associate Producer: Shi Tang Supervisor: Tian Shui Translator: Lin Qian Dramaturg: Yu Rongjun Stage Designer: Sang Qi Lighting Operator: Wang Beijun Sound Operator: Wang Yixuan Stage Manager: Luo Jixin Costume & Make Up Designer: Leng Jia Setting Designer: Cui Haigang Prop Designer: Liu Yiping Logistician: Chen Longqing Publicity Manager: Zhao Yangxiang Casting Director: Lu Renjie Assistant Stage Manager: Sheng Ruoyu Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre (SDAC) is the only national dramatic company in Shanghai. It was established in 1995 with the merging of the Shanghai People's Arts Centre Troupe and Youth Drama Troupe – both founded in the 1950s in the early years of the People’s Republic. Today SDAC’s impressive team of professional playwrights, directors, actors and stage designers operate across multiple spaces in the Centre's towering French Concession headquarters, including the Drama Salon, Art Theatre and Studio D6. SDAC produces new Chinese-language dramas, as well as performing English-language classics in Chinese. Gecko Gecko is an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company, led by Artistic Director Amit Lahav. A Gecko show is visual, visceral, ambitious theatre crafted to inspire, move and entertain. Gecko strives to make their work wide open to interpretation and put their audience at the heart of the narrative. Amit has created an organic devising process that oscillates between intense periods of experimentation, making brave leaps, learning and failing and including choreography, writing, storyboarding and reflection. Every stage includes sonic and technical development alongside the choreography. With an expanding ensemble of international performers and makers, Gecko works across diverse age groups, nationalities and forms. The company tours nationally and internationally and continues to develop strong partnerships around the world. Beyond the stage, Gecko aspires to open the doors on their process via every possible avenue, be it digital, in schools or through one-to-one relationships with their audience. To learn more about Gecko’s cast and creatives, click here. To download high-resolution pictures and watch full-length videos of past shows, click here. Shakespeare Lives Shakespeare Lives was an unprecedented global programme of events and activities celebrating William Shakespeare’s work on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his death in 2016. It was an invitation to the world to join in the festivities by participating in a unique online collaboration and experiencing the work of Shakespeare directly on stage, through film, exhibitions and in schools. It ran throughout 2016, exploring Shakespeare as a living writer who still speaks for all people and nations. British Council The British Council is a British organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. Arts is a cornerstone of the British Council’s mission to create a friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and the wider world.
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