Taiwanese University's Productions Earn High International Praise at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) has garnered international acclaim for its performing arts productions at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The university's original dance piece, "Formosa Viva (Long Live Formosa)," which explores Taiwan's 500-year history through movement, music, and visuals, was awarded a commendable 4-star rating by the British publication Theatre Village.

Theatre Village praised the dancers' elegance and control, noting that the performance effectively conveyed its narrative even to audiences unfamiliar with Taiwanese history. The review highlighted the production's ability to bridge cultural and linguistic divides through art.

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Even if the audience is not familiar with Taiwanese history or contemporary dance, they can enter the work through dance, atmosphere, and performance, demonstrating the ability of art to communicate across cultures and languages.

Further success came with "Mountains and Seas: A Rock Musical," a production inspired by Gao Xingjian's writings. This piece, blending Eastern mythology with rock music and contemporary theater, received a top 5-star rating from UK Theatre Web, with three other media outlets awarding it 4 stars and The Scotsman giving it 3 stars. The university emphasized that these achievements reflect the performing arts department's recent transition into a full academic department.

NTNU highlighted that these international performances provided students with invaluable practical experience. Beyond performing, students were involved in all aspects of production, including development, rehearsals, stage management, marketing, public relations, and international exchange, directly engaging with a global audience and professional theater environment.

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The performing arts department has officially transitioned from a program to a complete department this year. Led by Department Chair Wu Yi-fang, Professor Liang Zhi-min, and Producer He Kang-guo, the youth team went to Edinburgh. The two works, using Eastern mythology and Taiwanese history as creative materials, combine music, dance, body language, images, and contemporary theater vocabulary.