Out of Mirrors Performance and Music Workshop (鏡外劇團) headlines the Taipei Arts Festival this weekend with An Autumn Apoptosis (樹魂). The Chinese title of the play translates as "tree spirits," a far more appropriate title for a story that has nothing specific to do with the disintegration of cells nor with biology in general.
The play is written and directed by Ou Yian-chung (歐燕中), who is better known within Taiwan's theater circles by her penname, Hu ling (胡陵). It tells the story of a lumberjack who happily hacks away at his job until one day he fells a tree that cries out in pain as it falls to the ground. As it dies, its lover -- a neighboring tree -- cries out at the loss of her love.
Having never believed that trees have souls, the lumberjack is crestfallen and vows to never kill another tree. Conflict arises, however, when the surviving lover demands that the lumberjack kill her too, so that she may live with her love in eternity. But the spirit of the fallen tree endeavors to keep his love alive. The story is narrated by a wise old treecutter who lives at the edge of the woods. He felled thousands of trees in his youth but grew to understand the trees' spirit in his later years.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MANUFACTURERS
An Autumn Apoptosis is Out of Mirrors' sixth production since forming in 1999 and has been a very hands-on experience for founding member and troupe director Hu. In addition to writing and directing the production, Hu takes partial credit for scenery and sound designs.
"Scenery and sound are both very important to the overall feeling of the play ? of any play," she said. " To me, making sure both aspects are the way they need to be is part of directing the play. But I do rely on both the sound and set designers to do the majority of the work. Usually my input consists of telling them the things that I need, then making suggestions as the rehearsal process goes on."
An Autumn Apoptosis runs tonight through Sunday and again next Friday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Guling Street Theater (牯嶺街小劇場). Shows start at 7:30pm with Sunday matinees starting at 2:30pm. Tickets cost NT$350 and are available through Acer ticketing outlets or at the venue. Students can receive a 10 percent discount and groups of 10 or more a 20 percent discount.
Guling Street Theater is located at 2 Guling St., Lane 5, Taipei (北市牯嶺街五巷二號一樓). The venue is one of Taipei City's nicer small theaters but seating is limited. Calling ahead is recommended.
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