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Four original scripts to have joint debut

Student productions often receive little more than a wince from theatergoers. Their shows may not boast well-seasoned actors and directors, but they do offer insight into the next generation of theater.

This is the premise of a new project by Wei Ying-chuan (魏瑛娟), founder and artistic director of Shakespeare's Wild Sisters Group.

A drama instructor at the National Taiwan University, Wei selected four graduate students and gave them an assignment -- to produce four short plays for the general public. The young directors will debut their original scripts in a joint production titled, e Play XD this weekend at the Crown Arts Theater Center in Taipei.

"These are students so it's not perfect, but each play offers something new. It's refreshing to see work from the next generation of directors, because their whole approach to theater is different, even to how things were done a few years ago," said Wanda Yang (楊婉怡) producer of the show.

Four new directors will put on e Play XD, a theater project by Shakespeare's Wild Sisters Group, this weekend. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAKESPEARE'S WILD SISTERS GROUP

As an extra challenge, Wei stipulated a few rules. Each show must incorporate music, projected images and the same nine props, designed by SWSG set designer Lucy Ge (葛昌惠). Where the objects are placed and how they are utilized is left in the hands of the director.

In addition to providing a framework for the students to work within, Wei's requirements highlight the use of light, music and installations in contemporary theater. "By having a list of rules, it demonstrates the importance of blending various media. It's similar to what happens in a classroom, but here they have an opportunity to develop their own ideas and work in a professional environment," Yang said.

The progeny of high-tech society, each of the directors addresses forms of e-communication in his plot. The first two stories Infinity and Beautiful Over There take a comical look at Internet dating and MSN messenger while tackling more complex gender and sex issues.

Crossover: No.1 and Moon God/Devil are especially philosophical in content. The former, penned by a Hong Kong native studying in Taipei, takes a look at national identity in contemporary Taiwan, while the latter delves into issues of war and violence. The plot in this play is difficult to follow, but the minimal dialogue, emphasis on visuals and musical interlude performed on stage by the actors makes it offbeat enough to enjoy.

A preview of the production on Wednesday left a good impression. The show was engaging and easy to digest. The advantage of using several short performances (each is 25 minutes) is that the audience has no time to get bored. Conversely, just when you become engaged in one plot, it ends.

Performance notes:

What: e Play XD

When: Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday matinees at 2:30pm

Where: Crown Arts Theater Center (台北皇冠劇場) located at 50, Ln 120, Dunhua N Rd, Taipei (台北市敦化北路120像50號B1)

Tickets: NT$350 available at the door

On the Web: http://wild.ariesdog.com
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