UK-China Digital Connectivity

Shortly after the UKRI/AHRC award project Bridging the Gaps started in February 2020, the world was forced to a lockdown by the fast spread COVID-19 pandemic. Bridging the Gaps is forced to pause.

Meanwhile, Digital Theatre, or Cloud Theatre, has been the latest development in performing arts industries across the world. In April 2020, our project partner Shanghai Yue Opera House (SYOH) pioneered digital streaming in collaboration with TikTok and received 1.8 million hits, the highest audience online viewings in Shanghai. In August 2020, SYOH was selected to join the 5G 50 National Theatres Digital Streaming Season, a major national online theatre event in response to COVID-19, in collaboration with the China Central Media Group. Whilst Shanghai theatres have relaxed audience attendance from 30% to 50% seating capacity, in the UK, live performance venues remain closed.

In response to the global challenge, in late 2020, UKRI/AHRC call on UK-China Creative Partnerships: Responding to the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 and Dr Haili Ma's bid: Song of The Female Textile Workers, UK-China digital connectivity has been successful. The award is made in November 2020 and will run from 1st December 2020 to 30th November 2021.

The one year project sees the creation of a one-actress performance, led by WANG Rousang, China national star performer of xiaosheng (male) role at Shanghai Yue Opera House, in collaboration with Shanghai Textile Museum, Leeds Industrial Museum, stage@leeds and digital SME Human Studio. The creative process will be entirely held online, with rehearsals and performances live streamed across China and the UK. The project findings will be widely disseminated through performances, digital tools, documentary films and journal articles in both English and Chinese languages, along with workshops and a cumulative conference, all held online. The project is a true test of UK-China digital connectivity!

Song of The Female Textile Workers, UK-China digital connectivity is built on the two UKRI/AHRC awards: Creative Economy Development in China Newton Fund: Ghost in M50 Host (2018-2021) and UK-China Creative Industries Partnership Seed Fund: Bridging the Gaps prelude (2019)

The project will commence with Leeds Museums and Galleries hosting online exhibition of seven short documentary films created under Bridging the Gaps Prelude (2019) between 12th and 26th February to coincide with the 15 days celebration of 2021 Chinese New Year.