Curtains Up on the 2016 ShanghaiPRIDE Theatre Festival
Shanghai, May 3rd, 2016 – ShanghaiPRIDE Theatre Festival (ShPTF) will have one of its signature events, dedicated to exploring the reality of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) Community through artistic expression. The event will assemble Shanghai’s most talented Chinese and English-speaking theatre groups to provide audiences with a rich variety of artistic performances. Starting this May, ShanghaiPRIDE Theatre Festival will be working hand-in-hand with LGBTQ-friendly theatre troupes, both long term partners and new arrivals, to humbly present a rich and abundant performance centering on the theme of “生为平常 I Am Me”.
The Opening Performance of ShPTF comes from Fudan University’s Zhihe Society (Zhihe She), that will be performing an original production: Who the Hell. As the campus society for gender research, the Zhihe Society has been exploring a compilation of local stories entitled The Vagina Monologues for the past years, through theatrical medium. This year’s production of Who the Hell is sure to garner much interest as five characters arrive at the same strangely decorated hut for entirely different reasons. Their differences generate strife until the situation suddenly changes and they find themselves trapped together inside the hut. Only those able to reveal their true selves and allow the narrative gears to move forward (the “I” of the story), may leave. Those that harbour secrets, covering over their pasts, betraying their true selves and remain apart from the world will not escape. No character will escape as each finds themselves pulled into a vortex of emotional introspection.
ShanghaiPRIDE’s long term partner Urban Aphrodite will perform an adaptation of Psycho Beach Party. Called Gidget, the play is a shotgun marriage of Beach Party epics and Hitchcock’s psychological thrillers such as Spellbound and Marnie. What at first glance appears to be an average beachside surfing town, it’s actually the center of a startling number of homocides. Meanwhile, our protagonist has long been aware that she has trouble keeping track of who he or she is.
For the first time, the female theatre troupe Muju Group, considered Mainland China’s answer to the Takarazuka Revue, will be cooperating with ShanghaiPRIDE, and have scrupulously arranged the musical A Story of Valiants, Ladies in Love. Five characters in their everyday lives will face the ebb and flow of their careers, the pasts that they are powerless to change and unknown futures, all of which will keep audiences guessing whether they are viewing a tableau of love, or hate. For what is the nature of love and hate? In the story, there is no intolerance or incomprehension, only the prevalence of love, liberty and courage.
ShPTF will also feature the intense collision of two improv troupes. Zmack Family: I Am Me aspires to use the universal language of people everywhere — laughter, which is presented by Zmack; The Improvisers Big Big World, invites you to sit in a small theatre and experience the vastness of the world. Improv theatre does not have a script or director — whatever suggestions you give to the actors will be immediately performed on the stage! These two improv performances will support non-profit organisations from outside Shanghai to participate in 2016 ShanghaiPRIDE.
The essence of life, divergent anticipation, the ‘I’ on stage, have continually been examined in the theatre. ShanghaiPRIDE invites you to join us as we raise the curtain on the eagerly anticipated Theatre Festival.
ShanghaiPRIDE is a non-profit, volunteer-run event. Stay tuned for more information on fundraising events leading up to Pride8, proceeds from which will be put toward the organizing costs of the festival.
For more information about ShanghaiPRIDE, please visit shpride.com or follow our official media platform on: WeChat (Shanghai-PRIDE), Sina Weibo (weibo.com/shanghaipride), Facebook (facebook.com/ShanghaiPride) or Instagram (@Shanghaipride).
Contacts:
Email: shanghaipride@gmail.com
Website: shpride.com
~ 生为平常 I Am Me ~
