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Directing Works


Picasso 2033 | Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024
12th-16th August, Edinburgh
Director/Playwright: Keyuan Zhang
Co-Director: Yue Tang
Producer: Yahan Xue
Executive Producer: Jiewei Huang, Ge Ni
Set Designer & Lighting Designer: Zidi Wu
Composer: Siyan Liu
Dramaturg: Tiantian Xie
Sound Operator:Yue Ying
Costume Designer: Yixuan Qiu, Lulu Zeng
Script Translation: Yansong Wu
Cast: Gawa Leung, Yue Tang, Kai Partenie, Haider Abdullah, Sam Zelaya, Dorivaldo Ernesto
Special Thanks: Ayisha Mi, Jonathan Layton
Set in a future where AI has gradually replaced human beings in the field of art, Picasso 2033 reflects on the future of art through the story of AI-drawing trainer “Mr Satisfaction”. Returning to the house where he once lived with his mother, his memories are awakened by seeing her unfinished painting, created in her later years, when she was suffering from Alzheimer’s. His exploration of the protagonist in the painting leads to a deep reflection on the nature of art and AI, and on where the identity and creativity of human beings is headed.
Director/Playwright: Keyuan Zhang
Co-Director: Yue Tang
Producer: Yahan Xue
Executive Producer: Jiewei Huang, Ge Ni
Set Designer & Lighting Designer: Zidi Wu
Composer: Siyan Liu
Dramaturg: Tiantian Xie
Sound Operator:Yue Ying
Costume Designer: Yixuan Qiu, Lulu Zeng
Script Translation: Yansong Wu
Cast: Gawa Leung, Yue Tang, Kai Partenie, Haider Abdullah, Sam Zelaya, Dorivaldo Ernesto
Special Thanks: Ayisha Mi, Jonathan Layton
Set in a future where AI has gradually replaced human beings in the field of art, Picasso 2033 reflects on the future of art through the story of AI-drawing trainer “Mr Satisfaction”. Returning to the house where he once lived with his mother, his memories are awakened by seeing her unfinished painting, created in her later years, when she was suffering from Alzheimer’s. His exploration of the protagonist in the painting leads to a deep reflection on the nature of art and AI, and on where the identity and creativity of human beings is headed.
The Burnt Butterfly 2.0 | Edinburgh Fringe Festival
9th/10th August 2024, Edinburgh
Director: Yue Tang
Movement Director: Jonathan Layton
Co-Director: Keyuan Zhang
Producer: Yahan Xue
Executive Producer: Jiewei Huang
Set Designer & Lighting Designer: Zidi Wu
Composer: Hanzu Deng
Video Designer: Xinni Lin
Poster Designer: Zidi Wu
Marketing and Distrubution: Yue Ying
Cast: Beata Konya, Chinmoyee Biswas, Georgia Dimopoulou, Huiling Liu, Keyuan Zhang, Sanjeeb Kumar Dey
Special Thanks: Charlie, Mimixue Tian,
The production draws inspiration from ancient Chinese mythology and Taoist philosophical tales to explore the relationships between different cultures. Six performers from diverse cultural backgrounds convey a “universal language” through unique physical and visual arts, aiming to blur cultural boundaries, explore the potential of breaking cultural barriers and achieving cultural equality, thus prompting audiences to deeply reflect on war and humanity.
Director: Yue Tang
Movement Director: Jonathan Layton
Co-Director: Keyuan Zhang
Producer: Yahan Xue
Executive Producer: Jiewei Huang
Set Designer & Lighting Designer: Zidi Wu
Composer: Hanzu Deng
Video Designer: Xinni Lin
Poster Designer: Zidi Wu
Marketing and Distrubution: Yue Ying
Cast: Beata Konya, Chinmoyee Biswas, Georgia Dimopoulou, Huiling Liu, Keyuan Zhang, Sanjeeb Kumar Dey
Special Thanks: Charlie, Mimixue Tian,
The production draws inspiration from ancient Chinese mythology and Taoist philosophical tales to explore the relationships between different cultures. Six performers from diverse cultural backgrounds convey a “universal language” through unique physical and visual arts, aiming to blur cultural boundaries, explore the potential of breaking cultural barriers and achieving cultural equality, thus prompting audiences to deeply reflect on war and humanity.


The Burnt Butterfly 1.0
August 2023, London
Co-Creators: Yue Tang, Jiawen Niu, Jingwen Liu
The production draws inspiration from ancient Chinese mythology and Taoist philosophical tales to explore the relationships between different cultures. Six performers from diverse cultural backgrounds convey a “universal language” through unique physical and visual arts, aiming to blur cultural boundaries, explore the potential of breaking cultural barriers and achieving cultural equality, thus prompting audiences to deeply reflect on war and humanity.
Co-Creators: Yue Tang, Jiawen Niu, Jingwen Liu
The production draws inspiration from ancient Chinese mythology and Taoist philosophical tales to explore the relationships between different cultures. Six performers from diverse cultural backgrounds convey a “universal language” through unique physical and visual arts, aiming to blur cultural boundaries, explore the potential of breaking cultural barriers and achieving cultural equality, thus prompting audiences to deeply reflect on war and humanity.
Innocence
October 2019, Shanghai
Director: Yue Tang
Playwright: Dea Loher
"Innocence" unfolds across nineteen scenes, interweaving the lives of a diverse cast including two undocumented immigrants from Africa, a blind stripper, a couple grappling with financial burdens and their diabetic mother, a woman who claims to be the mother of a murderer, and a female philosopher. The narrative is enriched by scenes featuring a choir and anonymous speakers. The play masterfully maintains a coherent structure while the characters' dilemmas intricately engage with the themes of innocence and guilt. Through carefully crafted character interactions, the playwright delves into ethical quandaries, presenting a multifaceted view of these issues. The narrative avoids didacticism, instead offering a rich exploration of the complexities of human reality.
Director: Yue Tang
Playwright: Dea Loher
"Innocence" unfolds across nineteen scenes, interweaving the lives of a diverse cast including two undocumented immigrants from Africa, a blind stripper, a couple grappling with financial burdens and their diabetic mother, a woman who claims to be the mother of a murderer, and a female philosopher. The narrative is enriched by scenes featuring a choir and anonymous speakers. The play masterfully maintains a coherent structure while the characters' dilemmas intricately engage with the themes of innocence and guilt. Through carefully crafted character interactions, the playwright delves into ethical quandaries, presenting a multifaceted view of these issues. The narrative avoids didacticism, instead offering a rich exploration of the complexities of human reality.


Who Has Stolen My Sleep
December 2020, Shanghai
Co-created by 2017 Directing Department of Shanghai Theatre Academy.
"Who Has Stolen My Sleep" delves into the widespread issue of sleep disorders among today's youth. This production uniquely integrates multimedia and interactive arts to construct a fictional gaming world tailored for insomniacs. It provides a deep exploration of the collective psyche of modern youth, uncovering the vivid narratives that detail their struggles with insomnia.
The project garnered significant support, securing a grant of approximately £90,000 from the Shanghai Cultural Foundation, underscoring its innovative approach and relevance to contemporary issues.
Co-created by 2017 Directing Department of Shanghai Theatre Academy.
"Who Has Stolen My Sleep" delves into the widespread issue of sleep disorders among today's youth. This production uniquely integrates multimedia and interactive arts to construct a fictional gaming world tailored for insomniacs. It provides a deep exploration of the collective psyche of modern youth, uncovering the vivid narratives that detail their struggles with insomnia.
The project garnered significant support, securing a grant of approximately £90,000 from the Shanghai Cultural Foundation, underscoring its innovative approach and relevance to contemporary issues.
Sunrise
November 2019, Shanghai
Director: Yue Tang
Playwright: Yu Cao (曹禺)
"Sunrise" is a classic drama script written by Chinese playwright Cao Yu. The story takes place in China during the 1930s, a period of semi-feudal and semi-colonial society, where various complex social relationships are deeply entangled in naked self-interest and ruthless 'cash transactions' as never before. Chen Bailu, a social butterfly from a student background, lives in a large hotel, relying on the support of banker Pan Yueting. When her childhood friend Fang Dasheng learns of her downfall, he comes from his hometown to "reform" her, proposing marriage and taking her back with him. However, Chen Bailu, who is disillusioned with both society and life, rejects him. At this time, the orphan girl “Little Thing" runs into her room to escape harassment. Though she tries her best to help, she is eventually sold to a brothel by men under the command of gang leader Jinba, and she dies in humiliation. Pan Yueting is also squeezed out by Jinba, leading to the bank's collapse. Overwhelmed by the darkness and unable to see a way out, Chen Bailu sadly commits suicide. Fang Dasheng, on the other hand, declares his intention to resist the forces of darkness and goes forth to meet the sunrise…
Director: Yue Tang
Playwright: Yu Cao (曹禺)
"Sunrise" is a classic drama script written by Chinese playwright Cao Yu. The story takes place in China during the 1930s, a period of semi-feudal and semi-colonial society, where various complex social relationships are deeply entangled in naked self-interest and ruthless 'cash transactions' as never before. Chen Bailu, a social butterfly from a student background, lives in a large hotel, relying on the support of banker Pan Yueting. When her childhood friend Fang Dasheng learns of her downfall, he comes from his hometown to "reform" her, proposing marriage and taking her back with him. However, Chen Bailu, who is disillusioned with both society and life, rejects him. At this time, the orphan girl “Little Thing" runs into her room to escape harassment. Though she tries her best to help, she is eventually sold to a brothel by men under the command of gang leader Jinba, and she dies in humiliation. Pan Yueting is also squeezed out by Jinba, leading to the bank's collapse. Overwhelmed by the darkness and unable to see a way out, Chen Bailu sadly commits suicide. Fang Dasheng, on the other hand, declares his intention to resist the forces of darkness and goes forth to meet the sunrise…


Dawn
June 2019, Shanghai
Playwright: Yue Tang
Director: Yue Tang
"Dawn" tells the poignant story of Doctor Jack and suicide mediator Annie, two individuals described as "souls licking each other's wounds." Amid the chaos of the human condition, they find solace in one another's company. The inspiration for this narrative springs from a powerful painting that captures a disheartened man slumped on a red sofa, his sorrow evident as a woman in a red dress embraces him from behind. The screenplay unfolds this scene into a full narrative, exploring the deep emotions and intertwined lives of these characters, bringing their story to life on stage with vivid detail and emotional depth.
Playwright: Yue Tang
Director: Yue Tang
"Dawn" tells the poignant story of Doctor Jack and suicide mediator Annie, two individuals described as "souls licking each other's wounds." Amid the chaos of the human condition, they find solace in one another's company. The inspiration for this narrative springs from a powerful painting that captures a disheartened man slumped on a red sofa, his sorrow evident as a woman in a red dress embraces him from behind. The screenplay unfolds this scene into a full narrative, exploring the deep emotions and intertwined lives of these characters, bringing their story to life on stage with vivid detail and emotional depth.
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