Joan Chen is famous both in China, where she grew up, and in the United States, where she now lives. How did Joan become a famous actress in two countries? It’s an interesting story.

Joan Chen was born in Shanghai in 1961. When she was 14, some people from a film studio (制片厂) came to her school and chose her to study at the studio. She was happy about this chance, but mainly she liked the idea of getting out of school. Soon, however she discovered that she really liked acting. At age 18, she won the Golden Rooster, China’s top film prize.

In the late 1970s, Joan’s parents, who were doctors, moved to the United States. Joan joined them when she was 20 and went to college there. Her parents hoped she would study medicine. Instead, she majored in film and later looked for work as an actress. To work in the United States, Joan had to start all over again. She told Hollywood that she was an actress in China, but she only got some small parts in TV shows.

One day Joan went to speak to a director who was making a movie called Tai-pan. The interview didn’t go well. As she walked away, a man in a car noticed her. The man was Dino DeLaurntiis, the film’s producer. He immediately offered her a leading part. A year later, she started in Bernardo Bertolucci’s. The Last Emperor and was on her way to worldwide fame.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream may be one of Shakespeare’s most performed plays—but its latest version from the Royal Shakespeare Company will be unlike any seen before. Titled Dream, the 50-minute online production will let audiences remotely guide the leading character Puck through a virtual forest.

In 2016, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of The Tempest used high-tech to create a 3D digital image that was projected above the stage. The difference this time is that everything in the play—the performers and their surroundings—will be shown virtually.

Seven actors will perform in a specially-built studio. They will be surrounded by a 360-degree camera set, made up of 47 cameras with every movement almost immediately presented digitally, which is presented to viewers online. With its much-reduced characters, Dream is not a complete production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, rather, it is a story inspired by it, focusing on Puck and the fairies (精灵).

Up to 2,000 audience members for each performance can become part of the show and will be invited to guide Puck through the forest. On screen, the chosen audience will appear as a cloud of tiny fireflies (萤火虫). By using their mouse or finger on the screen of a smart device, they will be able to move their firefly across the screen, and Puck will be at their beck and call to go through the virtual space. For viewers watching at home, the virtual fairies moving through a digital forest will look more like a video game than the average Royal Shakespeare Company show.

“Without the fireflies—the audiences—Puck wouldn’t be going anywhere,” said E.M. Williams who plays the role. “The audiences are very much the fuel and the energy of the show.”

Cinderella

23 November—31 December

Description

Welcome to Brixton Lane! Forget the glass slipper or the pumpkin carriage this Christmas; join Sindi-Ella in this reimagined tale of Cinderella full of magic, music… and home-grown vegetables!

Just like her Dad, Brixton’s most beloved greengrocer, Sindi-Ella will do anything to keep the family business open… including growing her own produce. It’s a welcome distraction from the disorder of growing up and feeling sad for the loss of her father… not that Sindi wants to talk about that…

Stuck with her stepmom and her hating stepsister, Sindi’s only got her trusty plant to talk to. Until a chance meeting with Charmz, Brixton’s biggest influencer, sparks something unexpected…Charmz is sick of living the life online and is looking for a meaningful connection. What better way than to host a party? When Sindi and Charmz meet, the spark is immediate. But with trouble at home, can Sindi make it to the ball? Perhaps her loyal houseplants can help.

Family Ticket Deal

Get 15% off a family ticket deal when booking a minimum of 1 adult and 2 children and a maximum of 5 child tickets. Simply add your tickets to the basket when booking online, and your discount will be automatically applied.