New Southbound Policy Portal

“13 Tongues” by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre is set to hit the road on a tour of Taiwan beginning April 11 at the troupe’s headquarters in Tamsui District, New Taipei City. (Courtesy of CGDT)
 

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre is set to take the classic 2016 production “13 Tongues” by artistic director Cheng Tsung-lung on a monthslong tour of Taiwan, the troupe announced March 9.

Based on Cheng’s childhood memories of Taipei’s Wanhua District, “13 Tongues” features choreography inspired by traditional religious rituals and folk songs. The tour is scheduled to kick off in April at the group’s headquarters in New Taipei City, followed by stints in the northern city of Taoyuan May 8-9; central county of Changhua May 15-16; southern Taiwan’s Chiayi County May 22-23 and Tainan City May 29-30; and the eastern county of Hualien June 5-6, before moving back south to Pingtung County June 12-13.

The production had previously been staged in 11 cities around the world including London and Paris, but other international performances were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cheng said. Having the opportunity to perform for audiences at home is a great honor and helps ensure dancers stay in top shape, he added.

Founded in 1973 as the first professional modern dance troupe in Taiwan, Cloud Gate has cultivated a global reputation for innovative works incorporating local cultural elements such as calligraphy, history, and Hakka and indigenous music.

Over the years it has embarked on international tours across Asia, Europe, and North and South America while winning several prominent honors, including at the U.K.’s National Dance Awards in 2018. (YCH-E)