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M.O.V.E. Theatre

  • Date:2017-12-25
M.O.V.E. Theatre

  • Chinese Name: 動見体劇團
  • Date of Establishment: 2006
  • Founder: Fu Hong-zheng (符宏征)
  • Did You Know That …?
  • This physical theater troupe is dedicated to realizing an aesthetic vision titled "Total Theater,” in which actions of the performers and thoughts of the viewers are refined through experimentation. The ultimate goal is to achieve a common vision between those who are on stage and those who observe.
  • Site: https://movetheatre-tw.com


M.O.V.E. is an artistic platform exploring the aesthetics of physical theater through movement, observation, and experimentation. Based in Taiwan, the fluid group invites artists from different disciplines encompassing theater, music, and dance to collaborate on new productions.


Established in 2006 by Fu Hong-zheng (符宏征), M.O.V.E. Theatre counts among its lineage the Grotowski methodology of theater training. Fu was mentored by Stan Lai (賴聲川), theater extraordinaire and mastermind of world-acclaimed "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land (暗戀桃花源),” and served as resident director at Lai's experimental offshoot Off Performance Workshop (外表坊實驗團).


From Lai, Fu learned improvisation for physical theater, and set off to produce works featuring poetic physical landscapes, multi-perspective narratives, and condensed theater language. He is particularly talented at evoking the inner psychological state of both performers and viewers alike through unique theater aesthetics.


Fu is joined by Lin Kuei-ju (林桂如), composer and music director of M.O.V.E. Theatre. An improvisational pianist and composer of acoustic and electronic-acoustic music, Lin relishes in producing sound installations and interdisciplinary projects linking theater with dance. Her "Dear John (凱吉一歲)” production for M.O.V.E. Theatre was named one of the top five performances of 2013 by the Taishin Art Awards.


The core group of M.O.V.E. Theatre also includes Tung I-fen (董怡芬), an interdisciplinary choreographer who integrates dance with theater, film, dance, and contemporary art; Daniel Wang (王靖惇), playwright, actor, and director interested in the cultural phenomena of contemporary society; and River Lin (林人中), performance artist and current curator in residence.


M.O.V.E. Theatre was selected by the Ministry of Culture to join a five-troupe delegation celebrating Taiwan's tenth year of participation at OFF Festival d'Avignon in 2016. "Play Me,” their physical drama exploring the power structure among people, was lauded by French audiences as a superb performance full of symbolism ("Superbe spectacle, plein de symbols”).


The M.O.V.E. Theatre will be bringing their brand of physical language, which is a blend of realistic acting and stylized movement, to a new level with "Kuang Qi (狂起).” Their latest production revolves around two legendary female characters - Du Liniang from "The Peony Pavilion” and Zhu Yingtai from "The Butterfly Lovers” - and their encounter in an erotic dream driven by the most primitive desires.