Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, "A Glimpse of Taiwan" took place virtually on Aug. 6, as part of this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival "Taiwan Season" program. The four filmed dance-theatre productions performed by Taiwanese troupes Tai Gu Tales Dance Theater (太古踏舞團), Les Petites Choses Production (小事製作), Incandescence Dance (告白熾造), and Tjimur Dance Theater (蒂摩爾古薪舞集) received positive affirmations from art reviewers and garnered praise for its unique, innovative and vibrant content.
To celebrate the opening of "Taiwan Season," Taiwan's Representative to the UK Hsieh Wu-chiao (謝武樵), director of the Cultural Division of the Taipei Representative Office in the United Kingdom Chen Pin-chuan (陳斌全), chief executive of Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Shona McCarthy and Summerhall’s program manager Verity Leigh specially recorded a congratulatory video.
"The back of Beyond (無盡胎藏)" by Tai Gu Dance Theatre received a four-star review from Broadway Baby website, noting that the performance was a dream ritual, where Chinese philosophy meets western dance technique, and the lighting and photography crew have created a beautiful and mesmeric film of light and dark.
SeeingDance website commented that the show "Fighters (五虎將)" by Les Petites Choses Production is a 'handsome 14-minute work' of martial arts, contemporary dance and hip hop. It also said there is a graceful intensity in the martial arts infused movements of all the dancers, especially the scenes with Chen Yi-ju (陳薏如) on a rooftop are impressive.
"Touchdown (觸底的形色)" by Incandescence Dance also received a four-star rating by Broadway Baby. The reviewer stated that it is a quirky, intriguing gem of a show with moments of brilliance as the artistic director Cheng Hao (鄭皓) demonstrates that both physics and art can be beautiful.
"ai~ sa sa (哎～撒撒)," a new film performance by Tjimur Dance Theater was given a five-star review from Broadway Baby, stating that the performance ‘is sizzling with energy, wit and originality, both hilarious and poignant.’ While SeeingDance commented that ‘the always inventive choreography is superbly performed.’
"A Glimpse of Taiwan" is available on demand until Aug. 29, and viewers who are interested may register and purchase tickets online. For more information, please visit Taiwan Season website or Facebook page.