Taiwan art troupes showcasing the country’s rich creative performance pedigree garnered glowing reviews and one award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, spotlighting the success of this year’s Taiwan Season, the Ministry of Culture said Sept. 7.
The MOC-sponsored program—now in its eighth consecutive year—invited four local outfits to perform virtually at the world’s most celebrated arts festival, which wrapped up Aug. 30. The lineup comprised Incandescence Dance, Le Petites Choses Production, Tai Gu Tales Dance Theater and Tjimur Dance Theatre.
The solo piece “Touchdown” by Incandescence won this year’s Infallibles Award in the dance category and received a special mention in U.K. broadsheet The Guardian for its intriguing fusion of physics and rumination on the meaning of life.
Another piece attracting critical acclaim is “The Back of Beyond” by Tai Gu. Its combination of Eastern cultural traditions and contemporary Western dance techniques earned the work a five-star review from U.K. media outlet Edinburgh Guide.
Equally noteworthy is Tjimur’s “ai-sa-sa,” which is dedicated to the culture of Taiwan’s indigenous Paiwan people. Broadway Baby graded it five stars and described the must-see show as energetic, original and witty.
Launched in 1947, the Fringe, which is held every August, hosted over 950 virtual and physical shows this year. (DL-E)
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