Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture

Comments on the Finalist

Written and directed by Edward Lam and Mathias Woo, Frangments d'un discourse amoureux is a testament to their sensitive, though critical, awareness of culture and human nature, their limitless creativity in the utilization of texts and audio-visual elements, and their unique treatment of performance.  This remarkable stage performance draws inspiration from Roland Barthes, in addition to the classical mood of Robert Schumann, the romance of karaoke, and the glamour of pop-culture idols and professional theatrical actors.  In its well-wrought lyrical atmosphere, the audience not only experiences the mixed feelings of love, but also sees their own emotional indulgence and irrational foolishness through the relationships.  Like other works in Edward Lam's distinctive style, the performance is both highly entertaining and deeply contemplative at the same time.  As a theatrical performance and also a dialectical discourse with pop culture, Frangments d'un discourse amoureux is the ultimate example of the essence and core values of theater.  (By Cheng-hsi CHEN)