China, William Yang - Theatre 

JUNE 3, 4

AUDITORIUM

21:00

Theatre

CHINA

WILLIAM YANG (Austrália/China)

ALKANTARA FESTIVAL

Theatre

Text and images: William Yang

Music: Nicholas Ng

Photographer and performance artist, William Yang is back with this monologue to the patria that he never knew: Chinese born in Australia, foreign in his country of birth, Yang takes us down the streets of Beijing, where computer stores compete with memories of the Cultural Revolution and echoes of the Ming Dynasty, the sacred mountain of Huang Shan, a compulsory stop on the itinerary of any Chinese pilgrim-tourist.

Part social documentary, part personal observation, China becomes a voyage of reflection on the meaning of culture and the importance of belonging both for artists and publics.

The biting humour of Yang, the sensitivity of his view, his capacity to capture the slightest detail and the surprising photographs displayed at the pace of the music performed live by Nicholas Ng turn this performance into an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Premiered in Australia in 2007, this performance is the culmination of four visits William Yang has made to China since 1989.

William Yang was born in 1943 in Australia, where his grandparents had emigrated in the late 19^th century. Writer and photographer, his favoured way of presenting his photos and videos is through monologues.

The Alkantara Festival 2008 takes place between May 22 and June 8 with some 25 different performances taking place in 17 venues across Lisbon. They include plays, dances and other performing arts put on by artists from Portugal, Australia, India, Turkey, New Zealand, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States, Germany, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Lebanon, France, Algeria and Colombia.

PRICE: € 10.00 (50% discount for people under 30 and over 65 years, showbiz professionals and holders of a free pass)

Over 12 yrs.

APPROX. LENGTH: 90 minutes, no intermission

Organised by: Alkantara *

Co-production: São Luiz Teatro Municipal, Centro Cultural de Belém, Culturgest, Fundação Oriente, Fundação EDP, Maria Matos Teatro Municipal and Teatro Nacional D. Maria II.

* Alkantara is an entity financed by the General Directorate of Arts / Ministry of Culture and supported by Lisbon Municipal Council.