Invited by The Public Theater, renowned experimental theatre maker Wang Chong and his company Théâtre du Rêve Expérimental is going to perform their signature theatre piece Thunderstorm 2.0 in The Public's "Under the Radar" Festival, on Jan. 6-7th 2018. It will be the first Chinese theater director and company to perform at "Under the Radar" Festival. NYC, U.S.
Photo credit: Edward T. Morris/PPP
One of the best 10 small theatre works in China during the last 30 years.
–Beijing News
Aspiring and ambitious, theater director Wang Chong is on a mission to overthrow the dated stage techniques that dominate Chinese theater today.
–Global Times
Cao Yu's early 20th-century drama Thunderstorm, regarded as a masterpiece in Chinese theater, is dismantled and reassembled in this new interpretation helmed by internationally acclaimed director Wang Chong.
Using real-time video editing and sound mixing from action occurring on stage, a hypnotic, near-silent movie unfolds to tell the explicit story of two female characters discovering that they have been cheated on by the same womanizing playboy.
Over the last 14 years, The Public's "UNDER THE RADAR" FESTIVAL (UTR) has presented over 210 companies from 41 countries.
It has grown into a landmark of the New York City theater season and is a vital part of The Public's mission, providing a high-visibility platform to support artists from diverse backgrounds who are redefining the act of making theater.
Widely recognized as a premier launching pad for new and innovative performance from the U.S. and abroad, UTR has presented works by such respected artists as Elevator Repair Service, Nature Theater of Oklahoma, Gob Squad, Guillermo Calderón, and Young Jean Lee. These artists provide a snapshot of contemporary theater: richly distinct in terms of perspectives, aesthetics, and practice, and pointing to the future of the art form.
Wang Chong is a renowned experimental theatre maker, known for his exploration of politically subversive ideas in China and abroad. Founder of the world-renowned Théâtre du Rêve Expérimental, Chong’s work is characterized by radical interpretations of classic Western plays and the use of cutting-edge digital technology. Works include Thunderstorm 2.0, listed by Beijing News as “one of the best 10 small theatre works in China during the last 30 years;” Ibsen in One Take, noted by Literary Life Weekly as “Top 10 performances of 2012 in China;” and The Flowers on the Sea 2.0, the first theatre production to be commissioned by China’s prestigious government-run Shanghai International Arts Festival.
Founded in 2008, Théâtre du Rêve Expérimental has become a leading force of Chinese experimental theatre. It is dedicated to refresh the stagnant theatre scene in Beijing. The group of artists intends to develop experimental theatre in several different directions, such as political, physical, documentary, multi-media, and cross-cultural theatre. In 2012 Wang Chong launched the Chinese New Wave Theater Movement by presenting a series of new performances with innovative use of live video and sound creation and live editing.
2012-Trojan House, Beijing
2013-Taipei Arts Festival (First theatre performances from mainland in Taipei Arts Festival)
2016-Israel Festival (First Chinese theatre performances in Israel Festival’s 55-year history)
SAT, JAN 6 @ 7:30PM
SUN, JAN 7 @ 4:00PM with Post-Show Discussions
Duration: 85 minutes
More about Thunderstorm 2.0 on the festival official website:
"with support from China Institute, and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations’ Public Intellectuals Program, which is funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Theater Mania: Under the Radar 2018: Margarete and Thuderstorm 2.0
Exeuntnyc: Review: Thunderstorm 2.0 at Skirball Center (Under the Radar)
Stage Buddy: Review: ‘Thunderstorm 2.0’ at the Public’s Under the Radar Festival 2018
Contemporary Performance: In Performance: Thunderstorm 2.0 (Under the Radar)
Theater Mania: 7 Under the Radar Shows You Need to Know About in 2018
Chelsea Now: Head Over Heels for ‘Under the Radar’
The Lo-Down: Downtown Arts Festivals Kick Off in January
Broadway World: Under the Radar Works, Dance Premieres and More Set for NYU Skirball's 2018 Winter/Spring Season
The Villager: Head Over Heels for ‘Under the Radar’
Backstage: How The Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival Helps Emerging Artists Get Seen
Interludes: VIEWPOINTS – UNDER THE RADAR 2018: A Festival Recap, Part 1
IDK Tonight: THUNDERSTORM 2.0 X &PIZZA
Co-presented by The Public Theater’s "Under the Radar" Festival and NYU Skirball.
This tour is supported by Beijing Culture and Arts Fund.