NPM Outdoors Arts Festival

Noh theater is a traditional art form that is one of the national treasures of Japan. Inspired by daily life, subjects on Chinese themes are also known as "T'ang-style Noh". This particular performance takes on the ever-popular story of Concubine Yang from the T'ang dynasty and thus reflects T'ang life in China.

For this momentous first performance of Noh theater at the NPM, the NPM has invited Japan's living national treasure Noh master Umewaka Rokuro to put on a performance produced by the samisen master Yoshizumi Kosayo. The playbill includes a festive performance of The Lion and the widely-acclaimed Concubine Yang. The latter is a tragic love story set against the chaotic historical era of the An Lu-shan Rebellion. In fleeing with his troops and favorite concubine, the T'ang emperor Hsüan-tsung was forced to hand her over at Ma-wei to be murdered by his troops before going on, they believing the emperor's infatuation with her was the source of their predicament. In memory of his concubine, Hsüan-tsung ordered a Taoist master to locate the spirit of Concubine Yang. This particular performance breaks the custom of an all-male orchestra by presenting 16 talented female musicians on drums, the Chinese lute, and other remarkable instruments.

Ming Hwa Yuan Taiwanese Opera was founded over 70 years ago in 1929. It seeks to meld traditional performance content and forms with contemporary theater, experimental theater, and movie soundtracks as it constantly adjusts its music for modern audiences. This has led to the immense popularity of Taiwanese opera and even its emergence on the world stage. Sun Cui-feng is the lead vocalist in this bold and dramatic production. An outdoor performance of this type at the NPM front plaza with its stage and lighting allows Taiwanese opera to retain its essential form and to welcome a festive atmosphere for the NPM reopening.

Founded in 1988, Utheatre is one of the most widely acclaimed and internationally known of Taiwanese performance art troupes. The penetratingly thick timbre, sometimes slow and other times fast, of their sacred drum performances is able to reach the deepest emotions of audiences, vibrating to the inner core of the senses. The Great Lion's Roar is about the spiritual quest of a hero facing the elements as he reaches the peak in the search for true wisdom and bravery on his journey. Following the more abstract performance series of The Sound of Ocean and Meeting with Vajrasattva combining dance, instrumental accompaniment, martial arts, and vocals to guide the audience in a fascinating drama, Utheatre's performance here at the NPM will include Journey On, Shadow of the Night, Chasing, The Great Lion's Roar, Sword of Spirits and Sword of Wisdom.