The powerful sound of drums will resonate through Southam Hall on November 24, as the NAC audience is treated to an exclusive Canadian performance of Sword of Wisdom by the celebrated Taiwanese U-Theatre company. Magnificent tableaux will be revealed through a combination of rhythmic dancing, martial arts, meditation, theatre and drumming, gracefully executed by an ensemble of 15 dancers and musicians.

“The unique and penetrating performances of U-Theatre have given the world an insight into Taiwanese contemporary expression. Inspired by nature, meditation and martial arts, the troupe — whose roots are high up in the lush landscape of Laochuan Mountain outside of Taipei — creates rigorous yet lyrical works, deep in ritual and emotion”, says Cathy Levy, Executive Producer of NAC Dance.

Sword of Wisdom conveys a powerful message of valour, tracing the Brave One’s quest to overcome his weakness by finding the courage he needs to confront life. As the story unfolds, the acoustics of the numerous drums, combining the sounds of wooden and metal percussions with the contemplative movements of the performers, will bring the spectators on a journey into U-Theatre's widely creative universe.

U-Theatre was founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Ruo-Yu Li, later joined by fellow Music Director Chih-Chun Huang in 1993. Both creators have collaborated over the years to bring the art of drumming to a higher level. Marrying the traditional to the modern and the spiritual to the spectacular, U-Theatre has excelled at delivering original works that evoke majestic images and strong emotions.

Sword of Wisdom will be presented in the Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on November 24 at 8 p.m.

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ABOUT U-THEATRE
Founded by Ms. Ruo‐Yu Liu, its present artistic director, in October 1988, and joined by its drumming master and music director Mr. Chih‐Chun Huang since 1993, U‐Theatre has presented rigorous works of aesthetic beauty rooted in the disciplined study and practice of meditation, drumming, martial arts, Tai‐Chi, dance, and acting. Uniting East and West, the ancient and the modern, the spiritual and the soulful, U-Theatre lives and breathes ‘Excellence” as embodied by the meaning of the Chinese character “U”. Over the last decade U‐Theatre has been invited to perform on the world stage including the Barbican Center (UK), Cultuurcentrum Brugges (Belgium), the Avignon Festival, the Biennale de la Danse (France), and the Next Wave Festival at BAM (New York City).

ABOUT SWORD OF WISDOM
Sword of Wisdom conveys the power of solidity and tranquility, and is about the path the Brave One must take in his practice of moral teachings. He faces the unknowns of life, which results in fear, and this leads him to begin the search for wisdom. By holding on the sword, the Brave One sees his own weakness, yet by holding on to the sword, he also finds the courage needed to confront life.

Using the Brave One with a sword as an icon, U-Theatre selected chapters that best fit this theme from its international touring repertory of Beyond Time and Meeting with Bodhisattva. The most prominent feature of Sword of Wisdom is the sound of wooden and metal percussion that are added to the drumming. Together with Gurdjieff Movements (sacred dance), famous for precision in movement, U-Theatre presents drumming as an art.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Ruo-Yu Liu
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Chih-Chun Huang
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION MANAGER: Cheng-Yi Chang
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Nai-Yun Peng
STAGE MANAGER: Po-Hung Shen
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Chun-Hsueh Su
MASTER ELECTRICIAN: Yi-Chieh Lin
SOUND ENGINEER: Ching-Yuan Wu
TECHNICIAN: Kun-Kuo Chen

Sword of Wisdom is supported by Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan).

TICKETS AND PERFORMANCES
U-Theatre performs in the Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, November 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $41 $53, $66, and $76 for adults and $22.50, $28.50, $35 and $40 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).

Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613 947-7000 x634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

 

Tickets are available for purchase:

• In person at the NAC Box Office;

• At all Ticketmaster outlets;

• By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS); and

• Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca).

A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Alexandra Campeau
Associate Communications Officer
NAC Dance
613 947-7000 x508
alexandra.campeau@nac-cna.ca