Escaping the nightmare of finding a husband
Inspired by the dreams of William Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu, “The Dreamer” will be staged at Shanghai International Dance Center from Friday to Sunday.
Associated with Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Tang’s mythical romance “The Peony Pavilion,” the drama is set in modern Shanghai. The play features a woman in her 30s named Helena desperate to escape the pressure of finding a husband. She thinks she has finally found true love but then realizes that it is just a dream.
Combining an emotionally driven physical performance with an immersive soundscape, impressive shadow play and stunning set design, “The Dreamer” gives a modern interpretation of the classic texts. It allows the audience to reflect on their own attitudes toward love, marriage and family.
The play is jointly produced by British physical theater company Gecko and Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center.
Led by Amit Lahav, artistic director of Gecko, the theater company strives to make their work open to interpretation and put the audience at the heart of the narrative.
Visual, visceral and ambitious, Gecko’s works are crafted to inspire, move and entertain audiences.
It is said that the creative team visited the People’s Park, famous for its matchmaking corner, to draw inspiration.
For some local theatergoers, they have long heard about Gecko. Their physical performance “Institute” wowed Shanghai audiences last year.
Info
Date: April 26-28, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-580 yuan
Tel: 5299-0372
Venue: Shanghai International Dance Center
Address: 1650 Hongqiao Rd
