1862 Theater unveils 2020 performance calendar
The shipyard-turned-performance venue 1862 Theater has unveiled its 2020 season playbill after numerous modifications amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Under the theme of “Convention of the World,” the season kicks off next month, featuring around 40 shows, of which over 90 percent are produced by foreign troupes and will make its debut in Shanghai.
Two series, “Absolute 1862” and “Dutch Focus,” headline the upcoming season.
The visually stunning “Absolute 1862” series includes a hilarious adaptation of Russian folk tale “Baba Yaga;” the French show “Les Somnambules,” which is told through a spectacular scale model of a city by four puppeteers and two musicians; the American play “Inflatable Space,” which brings outer space to the intimate stage; and the “Blanche Neige Ou La Chute Du Mur De Berlin,” which retells the fairytale “Snow White” from the perspective of the Evil Queen.
A scene from Russian folk tale-inspired “Baba Yaga”
With four puppeteers and two musicians, “Les Somnambules” is told through a spectacular scale model of a city.
Covering theater, live music, contemporary dance, performance art and installation art, “Dutch Focus” offers an array of innovative works presented by Dutch artists. These include a musical about the American icon Billy the Kid, the intense dance piece “Tetris Mon Amour” and the sensually physical “The Black Piece.”
Other series in the season include “The Growing Stage,” “Beethoven 2020,” “1862 Live” and “Bravo Asia.”
“The Growing Stage” promotes the concept of theater for all ages. “BB” is an interactive dance and music experience for the little ones. For children aged 3 and above, “Time for Fun,” a journey with dancing hands, will capture their imagination. The storytelling “Emil and the Detective” is crafted to inspire children aged 6 and older.
The year 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. One of three related performances that will be staged at the 1862 Theater is presented by a group of dancers who, like Beethoven, have hearing disabilities.
A scene from a musical about the American icon Billy the Kid
“Time for Fun” is a journey with dancing hands.
“Bravo Asia” includes three plays produced by Hong Kong artists — “Legend of Haohao,” “Pool” and “the Spirit of Kafka.”
Combining music and painting, poetry and documentary, three crossover performances will be staged in the “1862 Live” series.
At the end of the year, audiences can get a glimpse of Japanese dance and traditional Chinese musical instruments through the performances “The Tale of the Princess” and “Born with Innocence,” respectively.
“The epidemic is indeed a big blow to cultural venues,” said Li Yan, manager of the theater. “We need to keep the sense of crisis whilst embracing faith and promoting business whilst strengthening risk resistance. During this trying time, we have a clearer understanding of the development of the theater and a stronger faith.”
