| The CWI Children’s Theatre delegation was on the benevolent trip to Taiwan from October 28 to November 3, 2012 in an effort to promote the cross-strait exchanges of culture and arts and to celebrate the 65th birthday of the CWI Children's Theatre as well as the 120th birthday of Madame Soong Ching Ling in 2013. They gave a special benefit performance of non-scene modern drama The Bright Sunshine in Taipei Novel Hall. The 30-member delegation led by Ms. Wang Luning, Vice Chairwoman of CWI as the Director for the troupe, and Ms. Cai Jinping, President of the CWI Children's Theatre as the Deputy Director and Art Director conducted a 7-day performance and exchange visit in Taipei City, Taiwan.  The delegation was cordially welcomed and supported by the people from all circles after arriving in Taiwan. On the press conference held on October 29, Director Wang Luning delivered a speech in a hope that the exchanges and performance in Taiwan would act as a model and guide not only for the future cross-strait exchanges of children’s play, but also for communication and cooperation among artists and troupes of children’s play. She also hoped to advocate and nurture the culture of “Boundless Love” and voluntary spirit of “Share” to the whole society through The Bright Sunshine. Mr. Hau Lung-pin, Mayor of Taipei, and Mr. Huang Min-kon, Deputy Secretary-general of the Executive Yuan attended the press conference and gave their warm welcome and heart-felt wish of the successful performance toward the delegation.  On October 30, the day for performance, it was drizzling, and the time for performance was at the traffic peak. However, the audiences were not affected and were as enthusiastic as ever. Over 90 percent of the 1,088 seats in Novel Hall were occupied, and the distinguished guests invited from all circles presented and watched the show. The distinguished guests included Ms. Lin Cheng-chih, Chairwoman of KMT Central Appraisal Committee and Vice President of the General Association of Chinese Culture, Ms. Kuo Su-chun, KMT Legislator, Mr. Milton Mung-Shiung Shieh, Chairman of Shih Chien University, Ms. Tsai Ling-lan, President of Cross-Strait Women’s Association of Economic and Trade Exchange, Ms. Sing-ju Chang, CEO of Hsin Yi Foundation, Mr. Yung Chaur-Shin, President of Fo Guang University, Ms. Wu Mei-feng, Honorary Director-general of Chinese Early Childhood Education Promotion Association, to name just a few. The performance lasted for 75 minutes and received great approval from Taiwan audiences and professionals in the drama circle. Lasting applause of appreciation burst out from audiences. Audiences, including physical challenged people, workers and volunteers for the disabled and the general public all regarded the drama of high artistic and educational quality. They not only received rare edification, but also baptized their thought in the performance.  Besides the performance, the delegation also visited Taiwan Foundation for Rare Disorders (TFRD) and New Path Foundation. During the visits, the delegation also had an understanding of life and medical services for physically challenged people in Taiwan. Performers in the delegation gave small interactive performance for those “one-winged angels”. Together they played, danced and sang. In addition, the delegation also brought hand-made small gifts from mentally retarded children of Shanghai Quyang Sub-district Sunshine Home. On November 1st, the CWI Children’s Theatre delegation also attended the theatre seminar to exchange opinions with 6 local children’s troupes in Taiwan. Delegates of the cross-strait troupes exchanged their thoughts toward the performances and shared experience and feelings for the creation, management and development of the cross-strait children’s plays. During the seminar, Ms. Cai Jinping, President of the CWI Children's Theatre introduced to the counterparts of children’s play the first special children’s art theatre house to be completed in 2013 –Shanghai Children’s Art Theatre. She also expressed her sincere hope to work with friends from Taiwan in the near future for creation and performance in the new theatre and extended invitation for invaluable opinions on play creation and management of the theatre. |