MAF unveiled, marks Shakespeare, Tang 400th anniversary

Contemporary ice skating group, Le Patin Libre, perform their dance show “Glide”

The program for the 27th Macao Arts Festival (MAF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), was unveiled yesterday in the MGM Grand Ballroom. This year’s edition is themed “Time,” with the slogan, “Reshape your imagination. Experience the spirit of the Times.”
The festival will run from April 30 to May 29, bringing more than 100 activities and performances to the MSAR.
To mark the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare this year, MAF will feature two Shakespearean productions, including a rendition of the romantic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by the U.S.A. Shakespeare Theater Company, and an adaption of “Macbeth” set in the warlord-
run Democratic Republic of Congo, presented by South Africa’s Third World Bunfight.
It is also the 400th anniversary of the death of the great Chinese playwright Tang Xianzu, and in his honor two of his acclaimed works will be staged.  Excerpts of “The Peony Pavilion,” performed by the Zhejiang

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by the Shakespeare Theatre Company (USA)

Robert Wilson directs, designs and performs absurd theater playwright Samuel Beckett’s famous work, “Krapp’s Last Tape”

Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe from Mainland China and the romantic tragedy, “The Legend of the Purple Hairpin,” performed by Macau Cantonese opera artists (among them renowned artist, Chu Chan Wa), will both be performed at the festival.
Also introduced to this year’s festival is an innovative rendition of “Krapp’s Last Tape”, Samuel Beckett’s famous work directed and performed by internationally acclaimed theater director Robert Wilson. It is Wilson’s first appearance as an actor since 2000.
The concert, “Coppia”, featuring a dance-music combination performed by Manuela Azevedo and Hélder Gonçalves (both members of Portuguese band Clã) on a tennis court, will also be performed.
Additionally numerous children’s shows, outdoor performances and assorted events will be staged, including “In Chants”, suitable for children between six months and three years of age, the advanced ice skating and dance show “Glide” and Tao Dance Theater’s contemporary dance routines by choreographer Tao Ye.
“The MAF is dedicated to introducing extraordinary international productions in order to widen the audience’s horizons and encourage local creativity while promoting art education, thereby adding a profound and sustainable element to Macau’s culture,” said Ung Vai Meng, president of the IC in his speech at the unveiling ceremony.
“Thanks to everyone’s support, the Macao Arts Festival has already become one of the city’s most important cultural events,” added Ung.
Tickets for the festival are available at the Macau Ticketing Network outlets from 10 a.m. on March 13. Reservations can be made by phone or online from 12 p.m. onwards on the same day.
Early bird discounts of 30 percent, subject to certain criteria, are available for some of the performances.

seven percent budget cut

The Macao Arts Festival will have its budget cut by 7 percent for the 2016 edition, organizers said, taking the festival’s total cost down to MOP27 million. Despite the budget reduction this year, the cost-cutting measures did not affect the performances and names chosen for this year’s edition, according to the organizers. Instead the most significant reduction was made in the area of promotional materials, such as leaflets.