Tai Gu Tales Dance Theatre takes six strikingly agile dancers on an arresting physical and spiritual journey. Founded in 1987 by choreographer Hsiu-wei Lin (former principal dancer with the acclaimed Cloud Gate), the company’s rich yet rigorous aesthetic merges Eastern cultural traditions and contemporary Western practices. The time-honoured concepts at the heart of this production are shaped by a personal concern for how human beings co-exist with each other and their environment. Rooted in such entwined, elemental forces as light/dark and love/hate, this is dance as a charged theatrical dream-ritual charting the cycle of life from birth to death and rebirth. Expect powerful imagery, emotional sensitivity and exceptional craft.

‘This is dance, this is theatre, this is sometimes bare emotion moving with force and elegance across the stage.’
‘The choreography of Hsiu-wei Lin masterfully steers this performance from beginning to end without missing a beat. Slow, rhythmic, and transfixing, the dancers draw in the eye and hold it for the full 45 minutes.’
‘I can only advice anyone who enjoys dance to make sure to watch and enjoy this glorious piece of work.’
by Garry Platt - EdinburghGuide.com ★★★★★

‘A dream-ritual, where Chinese philosophy meets western dance technique’
‘A beautiful and mesmeric film of light and dark’
by Stephanie Green - Broadway Baby ★★★★

‘Hsiu Wei Lin’s The Back of Beyond is an intense and absorbing work.’
‘you can lose yourself to the powerful choreography and the design which delves into the spaces between light and dark to mesmeric effect.’
by Saoirse Anton - Sitting on The Fourth Wall

‘Internal, spiritual, sensual. The Back of Beyond is a beautiful and mesmeric work of light and dark, or movement and stillness. It is outstandingly danced.’ by David Meed - SeeingDance

‘I cannot fault the sheer brilliance of the physical attributes and visuals, these were utterly superb.’ by Nia Powell - A Younger Theatre

Tai Gu Tales Dance Theatre

The Tai Gu Tales Dance Theatre was founded and established in Taipei, Taiwan in 1987 by Hsiu-Wei Lin, the Choreographer, dancer, producer and artistic director. The Character “Tai” represents the chaotic beginning of the world without boundaries and “Gu” defines history, the eternity of time transmitted from generation to generation. The company are known for its dynamic ceremonial works.

Female dancers in the company come from a background of modern dance training, while male ones were Peking opera actors. All dancers received three stages of special training developed by Hsiu-Wei Lin, which involved meditation and imitation of animal movements.

Tai Gu Tales Dance Theatre’ s dancers merge Eastern cultural traditions and contemporary Western practices in a physical and spiritual journey of great power and sensitivity. This is an exceptional theatrical dream-ritual.

Links
Photo credit:Bo-Wei Chen
Performance Info

Title

Taiwan Season: The Back of Beyond

Genre

Contemporary, Dance

Time

Aug. 6th (FRI) - 29th (SUN) Watch on Demand

Venue

Summerhall Online

Duration

45min

Price

£8.00

Notice

Suggested for ages 5+

Artistic and Creative Team

Director

Tsai-Lin Wu

Artistic Director

Hsiu-Wei Lin

Manager

Yuan-Yuan Huang

Composer

Jei-Youn Shih, Tsung-Ting Hsieh

Technical Director

Yi-Hsuan Weng

Lighting Design

Choo-Yean Wong

Stage Manager

Yu-Wen Huang

Lighting Technician

Kuan-Hsiang Wang

Technical Team

I-Hsuan Weng, Chia-Ching Tsai, Yao-Wen Chang, Hsuan-Kai Peng, Yen-Hsuan Chen, Shu-Wei Wan

Graphic Design

Yun-Ling Ye

Dancer

Tsai-Lin Wu, Ko-Yin Yen, Wan-Lin Xie, Shu-Quan Xu, Yi-Min Si, Ting-Xu Lin

Watch Party

Hosted by Summerhall’s programming team via Zoom, this post-show discussion offers you the chance to find out more about the production, hear from the artists about the ideas behind the show, and ask your own questions. Free event. RSVP required in advance.

Time

Aug. 12th (THU) 14:00 - 14:45

Venue

Summerhall Online

Meet the Artists

Taiwan Season: The Back of Beyond & Taiwan Season: ai~ sa sa

Review

EdinburghGuide.com ★★★★★

‘This is dance, this is theatre, this is sometimes bare emotion moving with force and elegance across the stage.’
‘From the beautiful opening sequence, the stage bathed in pale light and dancing candle flames the six dancers weave a wonderful spell with movement, intimacy, and a spiritual force.’
‘The choreography of Hsiu-wei Lin masterfully steers this performance from beginning to end without missing a beat. Slow, rhythmic, and transfixing, the dancers draw in the eye and hold it for the full 45 minutes.’
‘I can only advice anyone who enjoys dance to make sure to watch and enjoy this glorious piece of work.’ by Garry Platt
Read more...

Broadway Baby ★★★★

‘A dream-ritual, where Chinese philosophy meets western dance technique’
‘A beautiful and mesmeric film of light and dark’ by Stephanie Green
Read more...

Sitting on The Fourth Wall

‘Hsiu Wei Lin’s The Back of Beyond is an intense and absorbing work.’
‘you can lose yourself to the powerful choreography and the design which delves into the spaces between light and dark to mesmeric effect.’ by Saoirse Anton
Read more...

SeeingDance

‘Internal, spiritual, sensual. The Back of Beyond is a beautiful and mesmeric work of light and dark, or movement and stillness. It is outstandingly danced.’ by David Meed
Read more...

A Younger Theatre

‘I cannot fault the sheer brilliance of the physical attributes and visuals, these were utterly superb.’ by Nia Powell
Read more...