More of Taiwan’s Best

Ming Hwa Yuan

Ming Hwa Yuan has expanded the envelope of Taiwan's locally developed and honed theatre art form Ge Zai Xi (Taiwanese Opera) to a new horizon. Stunning and colourful visual, rich musical scores and lighting effects, familiar gestures and body languages, all these are translated to passionate and optimistic energy that is part of Ming Hwa Yuan performances, encapsulating the multitude of artistic imagination of Taiwanese people.

Ten-Drum Art Percussion Group

Ten Drum Art Percussion Group was established in spring of 2000. The name of the group comes a Chinese character for "ten" symbolizing the generation of powers from all directions and forming unity. “Ten Drum” aspired to create and teach percussion locally as their mandate, in the hope that, this would inspire people of Taiwan to value the art of traditional drumming. “Ten Drum” also calls for all drum lovers to establish distinctive drumming arts for this land hoping that Taiwan can be internationally known as “Island of Drums” in the future.

Han-Tang Yuefu Music Ensemble

The Han-Tang Yuefu Music Ensemble (HTYF), elaborated upon the elegant dance of Liyuan, takes as its mission the legacy and fame of the traditional Nankuan music. In the past 30 years, Han-Tang Yuefu has earned international acclaim and admiration at various art festivals in Europe and Asia, winning high praise everywhere.

Liao Wen-Ho Puppet Show Troupe

An internationally renowned Troupe, Liao Wen-ho Glove Puppet Theater, has not only built up a strong reputation in Taiwan but also owned the most numbers of puppet theater audiences in its live performances. The director Liao Wen-ho can imitate more than twenty different voices of puppet characters all by himself, and can operate the movements of puppets with sophiscated skills into a perfect performance. The initiative of extra-large stages and puppets designs makes the theater audiences see the performances from far away.

Legend Lin Dance Theatre

Inspired by local religious rituals of Taiwan celebrating the rhythms of nature and our place in it, the artistry of the Legend Lin Dance Theatre blends a lush visual aesthetics with a brilliantly original choreography that gives new meaning to the phrase “poetry in motion.”

In its many appearances overseas, the company has won praise from critics and audiences alike. Its Hymne aux Fleurs qui Passent, paying tribute to the complementary principles of Yin and Yang, garnered the Prix du Public at the 9th Biennale de la Danse de Lyon in 2000 and broke attendance records at the Festival de Otoño the following year.

Formosa Aboriginal Song & Dance Troupe

The Formosa Aboriginal Song & Dance Troupe, made up of a group of young aborigines from different tribes, has revived and reconstructed their gradually disappearing songs and dances with the help of anthropologists and tribal elders, often through actual on-site participation and observation. These songs and dances — passed down orally by the elders — have been performed onstage to reassert the original spirit of the aboriginal rituals. The vitality of the group’s outstanding performances helps further understanding of aboriginal culture while enriching and extending the range of theatrical experience.

I-Wan-Jan Puppet Troupe

With the meaning of “the puppet in my hands miraculously comes alive” Master Lee Tien-Lu founded the puppet troupe named “I-Wan-Jan” in 1931. In 1984, the traditional puppet show was introduced onto the campus around Taiwan by the troupe for the first time in history, and it began the trend of reviving the puppet show.

In these modern days, “I-Wan-Jan” insists on keeping the traditional skill and craft that have been passed down by the antecedent masters, and combines diverse performing styles in hopes to push further the boundaries of the puppet show.

Diabolo Dance Theatre

Diabolo Dance Theatre began as a simple dream.

Back in 1986, a group of young diabolo artists came together to share their passion with people of different languages and cultures. With their technical skills and artistic creativity, they sought a new style of performance to take diabolo dance beyond imagination.

Diabolo Dance Theatre has performed more than 300 shows in over 20 countries around the world, including at landmark theaters and arenas such as the Taipei National Theater, New York Lincoln Center, Hummingbird Arts Center in Canada, and Aichi Expo Dome in Japan.