Eternity on a Transient stage – A Theatre Masterclass with Stan Lai

How does Stan Lai create and direct a theatre production? What are his methodologies? What are his inspirations? What are his springs of creativity that he draws from to create his acclaimed theatre productions? Do not miss this rare opportunity to learn from Stan Lai, world-acclaimed theatre director and playwright!

Stan Lai has been described as the most celebrated Chinese language playwright/ director in the world, renowned not only for creating some of the most memorable works of the contemporary Chinese stage, but also creating bold new genres and staging innovations. Lai has continually pioneered new horizons in modern Chinese theatre, writing of the beauty and frailty of the human spirit, expressed through unforgettable characters and imaginative structures. China’s most prominent critic Yu Qiuyu says that Lai’s work “always has the ability to touch the heartstrings of countless audiences.” His most famous work Secret Love In Peach Blossom Land (1986), which combines tragedy and comedy in a most creative way, has toured worldwide, been made into an award-winning film (1992), and in 2007 was chosen as one of the top ten Chinese plays of the 20th century. His recent play The Village (2008), about migrants from the Chinese civil war, is the most acclaimed Chinese work of the current decade, and has been called “the pinnacle of our era of theatre” by the Beijing News.

Lai’s “crosstalk” plays, starting with the groundbreaking That Evening, We Performed Cross-talk (1985) have virtually forged a new theatrical genre. These hugely popular works have resuscitated the dying traditional performing art form of cross-talk. His epic eight hour A Dream Like A Dream (2000) has been called “a masterpiece” of modern Chinese drama, and has drawn comparisons to Peter Brook’s Mahabharata.

Combining lectures and practical sessions spread over two days, Stan Lai will share with participants his theatre experiences of over 30 years in this masterclass.