Dance/Xiqu

Classical Javanese dance was once exclusive to the royal court and then later spread amongst commoners, having much influence over Indonesian culture.

Kunqu incorporates singing, dance and literature, showcasing a variety of performing arts forms. In 2001, UNESCO declared Kunqu Opera as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The 2018 scheme of One Belt One Road Experimental Theatre will feature Indonesian, cross-gender, Classical Javanese dancer, Didik Nini Thowok. Eager to absorb different performing arts forms, Nini Thowok travels to Taipei to learn the role of Du Liniang from the Traditional Kunqu Play, Peony Pavilion.

In Hong Kong, an encasing mirrored theatre will become the meeting space for Didik Nini Thowok and Shanghainese Kunqu artist Shen Yili. Yearning for cross-cultural creative exchange, Shen Yili will participate in this collaborative project, bringing forth her specialisation in guimendan roles (young female lead). These two female leads not only become a reflection of one another, but they also provide growth and progress by exchanging through teaching and learning.

Together with contemporary choreographer Park Hobin from Seoul, they re-interpret the classical Chinese literary dream play written by the playwright of the Ming dynasty Tang Xianzu through a cross-language, cross-art, and cross-gender fashion.