Watery Wuzhen puts on a wave of shows
Annual theater festival turns ancient town into giant stage, with performances around every corner, Cheng Yuezhu reports.
Held between Oct 17 and 27, this year's Wuzhen Theatre Festival was its 11th edition, and was organized around the theme of "solidity", because according to the festival committee, the pursuit of ambition amid uncertain external factors requires having "a spirit like a torch, faith like a great rock".
"What's changed about the festival is that it keeps growing, and what hasn't changed is our goal," says the festival's co-founder and director, Stan Lai. "We're not aiming for a large-scale event with countless productions. We only hope to hold a well-executed festival, where people can come for 11 days to enjoy shows, talk about them, and simply have a great time."
Reflecting on the past decade, Lai says that Wuzhen and theater seem a natural fit. Compared to other major theater festivals around the world, the Wuzhen festival stands out for being a compact, cozy hub of theatrical art and other activities.
"If you're fortunate enough to spend 11 days in Wuzhen, you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere," Lai adds. "Enjoy a meal and chat with your friends, and when the time draws near, stroll to the theater and watch a play, then unwind in a teahouse afterward. It's a wonderful lifestyle here in Wuzhen, free of stress, whether you are a theater enthusiast or not."
