Tianjiao Li and Xuexi Li On The Pandemic And Post-Pandemic Theatre

Tianjiao Li and Xuexi Li from Quirky Moth Theatre – China’s leading theatre company – respond to William Kentridge.

The discussion focuses on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on China’s theatre and its communities from the perspective of a theatre maker and spectator. Tianjiao Li and Xuexi Li talk about how the particular situation of artists in China made them resilient to the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraged experimentation, and increased their own visibility. They also explain why they think theatre will survive the pandemic.

Tianjiao Li and Xuexi Li address the questions about the theatre and the pandemic sent to theatre artists around the world as part of the 2nd International Online Theatre Festival 2020. The artists responded to the questions and each other. Each recording was passed to another director, and so on, creating an asynchronous discussion panel.

The IOTF is an annual online theatre festival, showcasing the work of diverse global artists. The 2020 festival created a digital place for exploring multiple definitions of theatrical space. It was presented in collaboration with Stanislavsky Electrotheatre, Schaubühne, Stage Russia, Ninateka and DigitalTheatre+. With the support of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, Emerson College, and all the companies who have given permission for their work to be screened and shared.