The 2025 Wuzhen Theatre Festival is legendary! The lead actress's performance + the carnival directly weld the artistic soul shut

Who understands! Just finished watching the Wuzhen Theatre Festival, and my artistic cells are fully nourished. Now my mind is filled with the lead actress's explosive power and the surprises in the streets!

The opening drama "City of Humans Marathon Play 1 Prologue / Dionysus" literally left me stunned 😭
Lina Beckman’s portrayal of Agave was incredible! The plot revolves around the city of Thebes. She is driven into madness by Dionysus, and when she appears carrying the "prey’s head," her eyes are wild, speaking crazily about the hunt, yet a faint, almost imperceptible sadness hides at the corner of her mouth. When her father reveals that the head is her own son Pentheus, she suddenly bursts into uncontrollable laughter—strange and desperate. The next moment, she breaks down, piecing together a "son" with a wooden bucket, her trembling fingertips full of drama. Accompanied by the heart-shaking drumbeats, her bursting veins and explosive power could be felt even from across the seats. After the show, the applause was thunderous, and she took three curtain calls without stopping!

The ancient town carnival is even more like a flowing art maze! Various performances, various installations, endless art, endless interaction.
Steampunk-style mechanical devices gleam with metallic light, complementing the light and shadow installations drifting over the river. Stilt walkers hand out balloons, around the corner you encounter the fragmented light and shadow of puppet shows, and even the walls hide surprise installations. Every few steps you’re immersed in art, unable to move your feet.

The whole Wuzhen is filled with the fireworks of theatre! The ultimate performances in the theaters and the spontaneous surprises in the streets—this trip was truly worth crying over!

Tips: For the marathon play, choose front-row immersive seats; for the carnival, chase the light and shadow installations at dusk. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes—after all, the art is so dense you won’t want to stop walking!

Post by NEIL BARNETT | Oct 25, 2025