Esplanade Presents

Talk

Huayi Dialogues: Reinterpreting Classics with Fang Xu

(China)

8 Feb 2025, Sat, 4pm

1hr 30mins

(Intermission: None)

Esplanade Black Room

This event is over.

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Synopsis

A conversation that bridges the traditional with the contemporary: celebrated Chinese playwright and director Fang Xu, known as the “"Lao She’s specialist”," will bring Beijing-style theatre to Singapore—a place so distinct in language and culture. Meeting Singaporean audiences for the first time, Fang will discuss why he chose to focus on Lao She’'s works, his perspective on reinterpreting and recreating classics, and his own journey in theatre. He will also reflect on the current state of Chinese “"small theatre”", its future direction, and how Chinese theatre can engage in dialogue and exchange with other cultures.

 

This talk is part of the Huayi Dialogues series, curated and hosted by Singaporean artist Liu Xiaoyi.

 

About Huayi Dialogues

The Huayi Dialogues is a groundbreaking initiative by Huayi Festival, curated by Singapore theatre artist Liu Xiaoyi. This platform brings together artists, cultural practitioners, and audiences through a rich tapestry of lectures, panels and discussion.

 

A festival should be more than just a stage for performances —it should also be a bridge for dialogue, fertile ground for collaboration, and an engine for growth. The Huayi Dialogues strives to provide a dynamic platform for lasting and meaningful exchanges, serving as a catalyst for new ideas and partnerships in the cultural ecosystem.

 

The inaugural Huayi Dialogues will be held during Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2025, featuring three master lectures and a thought-provoking panel discussion. Experience the wisdom and creativity of Fang Xu (Beijing), Wu Nien-chen (Taipei), and Edward Lam (Hong Kong), three luminaries of Chinese theatre. They will each share personal insights drawn from their illustrious careers, exploring themes rooted in their respective cultural contexts. From Beijing’s humanistic narratives to Taipei’s interdisciplinary artistry and Hong Kong’s experimental and international perspectives, these lectures will illuminate the diversity of artistic creation across different cultural landscapes. Be inspired by their experiences and reflections, and discover new pathways for creativity and connection.

 

Whether you are a practitioner of the arts or an audience member brimming with curiosity, the Huayi Dialogues promises to offer you an inspiring and enlightening experience.

Admission Age:
6 and above.
Language: Mandarin
Things to Note:
Accessibility: All our venues are wheelchair-accessible. We offer various services to support patrons with access needs. For assistance, please contact Esplanade Customer Experience at 6828 8377. Concessions are available for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and one accompanying companion. To learn more, read our accessibility guide.
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Artist Information

Fang Xu

Fang Xu, a graduate of the Directing Department of the Central Academy of Drama (Directing), is a multi-talented writer, director, and actor. Since 2011, he has adapted many of Lao She's works into plays, earning the title of "Lao She's Specialist." Fang has developed a distinctive "daxieyi" (expressive and spontaneous) Peking-style theatre, offering a fresh perspective on Lao She's legacy. His notable works include The Life of Mine, Mr Ma and Son, and Heaven Sent (Niu Tianci). In addition to directing his own productions, Fang collaborates with renowned theatre groups, such as the Lin Zhaohua Theatre Studio, the National Theatre Company of China, and the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

Liu Xiaoyi

The Artistic Director of Emergency Stairs in Singapore, Xiaoyi is considered one of the most promising leaders at the forefront of the experimental theatre scene and cultural exchange network in Asia. He has been involved in over 80 theatre productions as director, playwright, and actor over the past two decades. Xiaoyi has remained steadfast in his pursuit of the development and transcendence of theatrical forms, while actively promoting cross-cultural and transnational dialogues. Outside of his creative endeavors, he is also a dynamic curator, educator, and cultural critic.

 

Major awards Xiaoyi has received include Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal (2010), the Young Artist Award (2016) by the National Arts Council of Singapore, Nanyang Outstanding Young Alumni Award (2022), Patron of Heritage and the Arts Award (2023) by Nanyang Technological University, Golden Point Award (2017, 2019, and 2023), Global Outstanding Young Leaders Award by Asia Week (Yazhou Zhoukan) (2024).

 

Platforms initiated and curated by Xiaoyi include Re-viewer, Singapore’s inaugural Chinese theatre critique platform (2014–present); Southernmost, an intercultural arts festival (2017 – 2019); No More Theatre , dedicated to fostering collaboration between digital technology and the arts (2018 – present); Emergency Academy , a global youth cultural leadership incubator (2020 – present); and The Peripheral Experiment, an independent arts festival (201 – present); Young Artists Incubation Platform Emergency Camp (2014 – present); among others. Presently, Xiaoyi serves as the resident artist in Linjiang New District in Jiangsu Province, China, while holding the position of Senior Research Fellow and International Exchange Advisor at NAFA, within the University of the Arts Singapore. 

Date & Time

8 Feb 2025, Sat

4pm

Esplanade Black Room
Tickets & Prices
Standard
Price $5

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