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.
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.
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
