within/out Boundaries

The 2025 Taiwan Traditional Theatre Festival (TTTF) with in/out Boundaries inherited the thematic focus from 2023 TTTF, Heroes: Beyond Time and Space, which highlighted narrative in traditional theatre, and continues to build on the 2024 theme of Extra. Ordinary. Love, which emphasized the lyrical elements of traditional theatre. In 2025, with in/out Boundaries explores the core aesthetic of traditional theatre through the concept of “reality and illusion” linking together contemporary culture and technology to embark on a new journey of traditional theatre vs. reality and illusion.

The concept of "reality and illusion" has been integral to traditional theatre from ancient times to the present, shaping both the text and the core aesthetics of performance. From dreams and illusions in theatrical narratives to the idea that “emotions in dreams do not have to be false,” this concept continues to be deeply embedded in contemporary traditional opera in Taiwan. Creators are constantly exploring and expanding on the idea of dreams, sometimes even breaking through conventional boundaries. The highest principle of traditional theatre, “derived from what is real; demonstrated through illusion,” manifests through narratives and characters that challenge historical facts and realities with relatively fictional and illusion-filled plots and characters—even extending to life itself. The inherent “virtuality” of performance is a fundamental feature of traditional theatre’s aesthetics and continues to be relevant today. This aligns with “gender-bending” performances, such as male actors portraying female roles and vice versa, showcasing the art’s captivating charm. As technology advances, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a global phenomenon, with VR and AR gaining widespread attention in not only technological applications but also artistic creation. The rise of AI, separate from that of cyborgs or robots, and with rapid technological advancements fueling these explorations, prompts new reflections on human nature.

If we consider “reality and illusion” as the core of aesthetic creation, themes such as dreams, illusions, time travel, and the interplay between reality and illusion in traditional theatre texts can all find fresh interpretations in the modern world. Technological “virtuality” can deepen our exploration of human nature through the juxtaposition of reality and illusion. By engaging the audience through storytelling, such creations can probe human nature through their lyrical elements. This platform for both “narrative” and “lyricism” captures the core aesthetics of traditional theatre.

Main Theatre’s flagship production, Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group's Clan Of Crooks!? Reincarnation Into Another World is inspired by a historical playbill from the Jiaqing Emperor’s court, unraveling a land development scam in Yilan. It transcends time and space, reflecting on human nature in both the past and the present. In the Experimental Theatre, The Innocents by Taipei Puppet Theater inspired by the life and works of the talented musician Lu Ho-jo, with sound and music(Beiguan) acting as the bridge between reality and illusion, emphasizing the depths of the human heart.

These productions explore the concepts of time and space, both ancient and modern, using the theme of reality and illusion. Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe’s Image adapts a novel by Lung Ying-tsung, featuring Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu as a time traveler, reflecting on the past and present. ZhenYunLinGe Puppet Theatre’s The Missing Emperor tells the story of the Jianwen Emperor of the Ming Dynasty fleeing to Southeast Asia, where he became a “new immigrant” after leaving behind his imperial status. Co-produced by the Taiwan International Festival of Arts and the TTTF, WEI Hai-Min & WANG Chia-Ming: The Queen with No Name blurs the boundaries between reality and illusion, shifting between dreams, politics, and domestic life, prompting multiple interpretations of Empress Dowager Cixi and creating a space for observation and critical thinking.

SunHope Taiwanese Opera Troupe’s The Dream No. 30 envisions deities’ wishes being fulfilled through a delivery service—Uber Dream; Shintrun Taiwanese Opera Troupe’s The Peony Lotus Lantern embarks on a time-traveling journey where layers of illusion unravel human nature; Shiu-Kim Taiwanese Opera Troupe’s Impromptu Opera in the Theater Hall Series allows the audience to witness firsthand the birth of a performance, where something is created out of nothing but the spoken word. And, of course, the contributions of the unmissable GuoGuang Opera Company and Hung Dance’s Jing Wei: Feathers against The Tides, Taiwan Bangzi Opera Company’s Revenger, and National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan’s The Sound of Feeling—A.I. Me-me’s Musical Internship offer diverse perspectives on the integration of technology, pushing the boundaries of theatrical creation and sparking great anticipation.

Whether the stories above travel through vast expanses of time and space to pass through “reality and illusion” or use dreams as a boundless metaphor and the complexity of the human heart as a central theme, creators are given a broader platform for expression. And as for the audience? They are left to decide—can they truly believe their eyes?

Join us at the TTTF, where we journey across boundaries to perceive illusion and reality. Together, let’s transcend both existence and nonexistence.