U-Theatre
The ‘U’ of U-theatre is a phonetic transcript of a Chinese character meaning ‘excellence’. In ancient China, this word also referred to ‘professional performers.’
Founded in 1988 with a focus on Zen in the art of drumming, U-Theatre and its practice may be best described as attaining the state of total calmness while in motion. For this troupe, performance is not an end in itself, but rather an approach to a holistic way of life oriented in the Tao.
In its works, the relationship of the individual to the whole community – and by extension, of the group to its audiences worldwide – is portrayed without explicit narrative or the creation of imagined characters. The result is a fascinating and unique mode of contemporary theatre that is process-based, finely tuned, and performer dependent. It is grounded in a collective experience predicated on each member’s personal search for enlightenment and inner balance.
U-Theatre’s rigorous aesthetic depends on disciplined training in various forms—meditation, drumming, martial arts, Tai-Chi, dance, acting—drawn from both the East and the West, ancient and modern cultures. “Like monks preparing themselves for a grand ceremony…their virtuosity is spectacular, “ remarked Le Figaro of U-Theatre’s awe-inspiring performance in France at the 1998 Avignon Arts Festival.
U-Theatre’s performance at the 2016 Tang Prize banquet received considerable accolades. In 2018, it will continue the spirit and put on a vibrant and carefully arranged spectacular.
Harpist / Li Che-Yin
Born of a long line of harpists, it is no surprise that Li was inspired early by his father Wu-nan Li to take up the harp. At the age of seven, he began touring with his father and brothers. In 2002 he participated in the First Harp Competition held by the Taipei Harpist Association, where he was recognized as champion in open class.
In his nearly 20 years of activity in the performing arts, Li has played in many commercial and art-oriented venues.In recent years he has gained public acclaim for his arrangements of classical and popular tunes. Li currently acts as contributing arranger for the Evergreen Symphony and the Taipei City Orchestra.
In 2014 he collaborated with Zong-pei Fan on the album A Time of Elegance, for which they were awarded Best Classical Album at the 2015 Golden Melody Awards.That year (2014) also saw the beginning of his 100 Stop Country-side Tour, in which he performs for rural elementary
schools. He has given 50 such performances to this day.
