Taiwan’s performers have been given a positive reception at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, receiving widespread critical acclaim.
In its fourth consecutive year, Taiwan Season has gone from strength to strength, receiving positive reviews and large audiences. The all-female dance piece ‘038’ directed by Kuo-Shin Chuang, received an enthusiastic review from The Guardian’s dance critic, Judith Mackrell, while ‘Together Alone’, danced by real-life couple Chen-Wei Lee and Zoltán Vakulya, has enjoyed much box office success.
Taiwan Season’s theatre pieces have also been successful. ‘Heart of Darkness’, a vivid exploration of a forgotten life, has proved to be an audience favourite, enchanting viewers with its blend of instruments, voice, drama, and ritual. Similarly, ‘Ever Never’, a meditation on long-haul air travel, has received much attention from the local press, who have praised its ‘nimble gracefulness’.
Shortly after its launch on 2 August, the season featured a promotional parade that marched along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile on 7 August. Formed of the five Taiwanese groups participating in this year’s festival, the parade was led by Representative Lin and the TRO’s Director of Cultural Division Cheryl Lai.
Following the parade, a reception was held at the multi-arts venue, Summerhall, where guests included Festival Chief Executive, Shona McCarthy, and Representative Lin. Ms McCarthy praised Taiwan’s lineup and the relationship between Taiwan and the Edinburgh Fringe, while Representative Lin also lauded the outstanding performances, thanking the festival organisers and the TRO Edinburgh Office for their continued support.
