Shenzhen, located in South China’s Guangdong Province, is gearing up to be the theatre capital of China this November. The city will proudly host the 8th edition of the prestigious China Campus Theatre Festival. But this isn’t just any edition; it’s also recognized as the 27th BeSeTo Theatre Festival. Alongside, the 2023 Nanshan Theatre Festival will also unfurl its curtains, promising a month filled with dramatic flair and theatrical prowess.
Inaugurated in 2008 under the auspices of the China Theatre Association, the China Campus Theatre Festival is a biennial event that provides a platform for the country’s budding theatrical talent, primarily students. Over the years, illustrious cities like Shanghai and Beijing have played host to this festival, with Shenzhen making a repeat appearance this year.
The festival’s roster this year is an eclectic mix of 19 plays. These handpicked pieces traverse a multitude of theatrical styles, from riveting dramas and enchanting operas to vibrant musicals, captivating children’s plays, and whimsical puppet shows. Such a diverse lineup epitomizes the dynamism and multifaceted nature of campus theater.
A closer look at the festival’s offerings reveals three prominent thematic categories:
- Literary Renditions: Here, age-old classics undergo a modern metamorphosis. These timeless tales are reimagined and contemporized, delivered through the fresh lens of today’s youth.
- Original Campus Narratives: These pieces strike a chord with reality, often echoing the rhythms of student life or resonating with the academic and professional pursuits of their institutions.
- Ethnic and Local Showcases: These plays stand out for their unique regional flavor and distinct cultural motifs, shedding light on China’s rich tapestry of traditions and customs.
Additionally, the festival has carved out space for cross-Straits cooperative plays, and ones that pay homage to the Greater Bay Area, adding another layer of cultural depth.
But the event isn’t solely about theatrical showcases. The World Theatre Forum, a pivotal component of the festival, promises enriching discussions and insights into the world of theatre. Esteemed guests from nations like Switzerland, Bulgaria, Georgia, Japan, and South Korea, along with representatives from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan of China, will grace the forum. The agenda spans two sub-forums, diving deep into the legacy, evolution, and innovations shaping theatre arts. The dialogues aim to unearth the universal values in theatrical exchanges and envisage a global stage where different civilizations can converge and learn from one another.
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