TAIWAN'S U Theatre transported its mountain-top experience to the Arts Centre in two short drama pieces, Water Mirror and Falling Leaves, and added a drum performance between the two plays.
The performance successfully demonstrated the strict discipline and excellent physical co-ordination of the actors who played out their exhausting roles with astonishing dexterity and zen-like austerity.
The Water Mirror was the more accomplished piece.
It successfully brought together elements of Taiwanese puppet theatre as well as Japanese kabuki, Chinese opera, and Western avant-garde physical theatre to create an integrated and original theatrical experience.
Although conceived of high up in the mountain where the group lives and performs, Water Mirror is a politically committed piece which re-examines the whole controversial notion of 'homeland'.
The actors' movements ranged from the very graceful to the very passionate, a fascinating hybrid of Chinese opera and the movement of puppets.
The most memorable image of the evening was when an excellent Lady Cai, in white mask and scarlet robe, stood in front of a black backdrop. Through a hole in the backdrop the white mask of a devil messenger appeared.