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Director Li Liuyi transforms ancient Greek tragedy "Prometheus Bound" into dark comedy (with photos)
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     Li Liuyi, hailed as one of China's most influential theatre directors today, will present his latest ground-breaking work "Prometheus Bound" in November. Without changing a word of the original play, he has transformed the ancient Greek tragedy into a dark comedy to explore the contemporary meaning of a hero.
 
     Commissioned by the New Vision Arts Festival and performed by Li Liuyi Theatre Studio, the programme will have its world premiere in Hong Kong from November 11 to 13.
 
     "Prometheus Bound" was originally penned by Greek playwright Aeschylus, who is also referred to as "the father of tragedy". In this production, Li Liuyi unearths the absurdism in the timeless epic. Under his exhilarating direction, the actors are constantly elevated to greater heights of performance as the presentation satirises the lives, behaviours, thoughts and personalities of "gods" while also taking an ironic look at the making of a "hero". Powerful and thought-provoking, the creative reinterpretation offers a fresh take on the ancient tragedy.
 
     Drawing on both Chinese philosophy and traditional opera, Li Liuyi's renowned "pure drama" theory places emphases on the performers and characteristics of the human spirit. For this programme, he has once again teamed up with National Class One actor Lin Xiyue, Wenhua Award-winning stage designer Gong Xun and Oscar-winning costume design consultant Emi Wada to reconstruct a classic through his cutting-edge approach.
 
     The story follows Prometheus, the Titan deity of forethought in Greek mythology, who helps Zeus become supreme ruler of the Olympian gods. However, Zeus grows increasingly tyrannical and is enraged when Prometheus disobeys his orders and steals fire to give to the mortals on Earth, propelling them towards civilisation. In retribution, Zeus chains Prometheus to a cliff in the Caucasus to suffer the extremes of biting cold and blazing sun, and the agony caused by an eagle pecking at his liver each day. When Prometheus refuses to reveal who will overthrow Zeus, even greater punishment ensues.
 
     "Prometheus Bound" will be staged at 8pm on November 11 and 12 and 3pm on November 13 at the Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium. The programme is presented in Putonghua with Chinese and English subtitles. Tickets priced at $120, $220, $300 and $380 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999.
 
     A pre-performance talk and a meet-the-artist session will be held as fringe activities on November 11 and 12 respectively.
 
     For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.
 
     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the New Vision Arts Festival is running from October 21 to November 20 to feature an array of pioneering shows by local and overseas performing groups. Showcasing innovative interdisciplinary collaborations and electrifying new perspectives on the arts, the festival offers new experiences for audiences.
 
Ends/Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:07
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Li Liuyi, hailed as one of China's most influential theatre directors today, has transformed the ancient Greek tragedy "Prometheus Bound" into a dark comedy to explore the contemporary meaning of a hero. The production, commissioned by the New Vision Arts Festival and performed by Li Liuyi Theatre Studio, will have its world premiere in Hong Kong from November 11 to 13.
"Prometheus Bound", commissioned by the New Vision Arts Festival and performed by Li Liuyi Theatre Studio, will have its world premiere in Hong Kong from November 11 to 13.