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M.O.V.E. Theatre from Taiwan will perform "Nowhere Near" - an annual family reunion with a difference - in April. The play, which is one of the attractions of the 10th Chinese Drama Festival, reveals the concealed brutality of a family through physical and dynamic performances.
Once again it is time for the family reunion dinner, and dispersed members of the clan return to their childhood home to see each other. Yet the atmosphere this year differs from that in the past. As senior members of the family have suddenly passed away, grudges and secrets hidden under the table are stirred up. The newly orphaned children are breaking down emotionally and siblings revealing their mutual envy. The next generation cannot wait to escape at the earliest opportunity. Money disputes are also brought up. The audience will be quite familiar with these archetypal family tensions – not only do they take place in real life but are often seen in prime time dramas. The difference is that this story begins in a lonely and desiccated place. When wine glasses clink and family stories stumble between confusion and reality, and when the distance is only as long as a dining table, these family members - who should be close and dear to one another - are now distant and estranged.
Established in 2006 by Artistic Director Fu Hong-Chen and with total theatre at the core of practice, M.O.V.E. Theatre bases its creative foundation on movement, reflection and experimentation in the exploration of physical theatre aesthetics. Through the sharing and exchange of creative works, the common focus between the audience and the performers are expanded and transformed. In the poetic language of theatre, M.O.V.E. aims to explore and reveal the spirit of contemporary people while working with a wide range of subjects such as literature, folk legends, history and society. It regularly engages in cross-disciplinary collaborations with contemporary artists. To date, M.O.V.E. has produced more than 20 theatre works, and has been invited to travel internationally through artistic exchanges to showcase its creations.
"Nowhere Near" is directed by Fu Hong-chen and collectively written by the director and all actors including Wang Shih-chun, Daniel Wang, Jasmine Wang, Wu Kun-da, Chiu An-chen, Lin Chien-lang, Shih Hsuen-huei, Koh Choon-eiow, Wally Gau, Sherry Peng, Eviy Chi, April Liu and Liu Kuan-ting.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Nowhere Near" (in Mandarin with Chinese and English surtitles) will be staged at 8pm on April 8 and 9 (Friday and Saturday); and at 2.30pm on April 9 and 10 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Theatre of Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre. Ticket are priced at $140, $220 and $280.
Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999.
For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/theatre/program_1049.html .
Ends/Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:26
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