FringeReview Worldwide 2025

Coming to Avignon before heading to Edinburgh Fringe (where it will be staged at the Studio at Paradise from 1 to 9 August) Formosa Viva is an original production of the Graduate Institute of Performing Arts at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNUGIPA).

The show is performed by 6 young dancers taking the audience into a 50 minute emotional journey depicting the main events that shaped the life of Taiwan in the last 500 years. Constructed, dramaturgically, as a set of 12 scenes the dancers embody the early indigenous history of the island to then touch upon the Japanese rule and finally the contemporary life of Formosa born out of the Chinese revolution of 1949.

The name “Formosa” comes from Portuguese explorers who first sighted Taiwan in the 16th century. When Portuguese sailors encountered the island around 1544, they called it “Ilha Formosa,” which means “Beautiful Island” in Portuguese as the European explorers were struck by Taiwan’s lush, mountainous landscape and scenic coastlines.

The title Formosa Viva, which can be translated from Portuguese both as “alive” or “hail Formosa” condenses this testimony of the living energy that pulsates from the roots of this rich historical heritage.

The sea and the vastness of the ocean constitute the beginning of the performance: The group of dancers float and become the waves of the immense ocean surrounding the island. Water as the essence of life. Water enabling men to travel and exchange both goods and cultural inputs. Water has a means of projection and a will to both explore what lies beyond the horizon of the ocean and what lies within the heart of Formosa inhabitants. The audience is greeted upon entering the venue by the sound of the ocean to highlight the importance of water throughout the history of Formosa.

With a choreography alternating between a fast-paced and slow rhythm, with solo and choral compositions, we are shown the early years of life of this important naval and trading hub. A series of video projections accompany the different scenes. However, the skill and the intensity of the dancers could easily replace these messages conveyed on the screen. We’re left to wonder whether there could be less invasive means to introduce the main events that shaped the life of this land as at times the video steals the focus from the dancers themselves.

As the timeline nears our contemporary times the emotional intensity of the scenes rises in level. The collective struggle of the people of Formosa to defend their individuality and diversity is shown through an imaginary protest marked by the images of raised fists in the air.

Everything is told through symbolism as the modern geopolitical implications of struggling for an autonomous self-identity become evident.

Overall, an entertaining performance that relies at times a bit too much on video work taking the focus away from the very skillful dancers that create a seamless voyage into the heart of Formosa. We are left with the will to get to know much more about this mysterious land that is quickly becoming the protagonist, once again, of great historical changes.