The curtain has risen on the 17th Beijing Fringe Festival at the National Theatre of China. The festival aims to nurture young theatrical talent and promote cultural exchanges through outstanding youth productions.
Artistic Director Meng Jinghui highlighted the enduring energy of young people at the festival, saying “youth is not bound by age, and theater is not limited by time.” This year’s festival will feature 30 performances, 17 play readings, 3 international screenings, and 2 forums.
The opening performance, “It’s Time to Get Old!” directed by Wang Guanghao, explored the intersection of theater and news media, mixing interviews with an middle-aged soccer team with elements from video games.
Since its inception in 2008, the Beijing Fringe Festival has become a key platform for emerging Chinese artists and international collaboration. Over the past 16 years, it has showcased 539 youth theater productions and launched the careers of many prominent Chinese directors and playwrights. The festival has also brought international productions to Beijing, making it a global hub for young theater artists.