Step into the Magic as 'Assembly Hall' Dances into Shanghai

Celebrated choreographer Crystal Pite is making her debut in Chinese mainland with her company, Kidd Pivot, presenting "Assembly Hall," a captivating piece that intricately blends dance, theater, and deep philosophical exploration.

Kidd Pivot frequently delves into themes such as trauma, addiction, conflict, consciousness, and death, encouraging audiences to engage with the essential elements of human nature through their mesmerizing performances.

In "Assembly Hall," a group of medieval reenactors gathers for their Annual General Meeting in the center of their local community hall.

The Board of Directors oversees "Quest Fest" which is struggling with dwindling membership, rising debt, and a crumbling hall. The directors of this ancient order will be dissolved unless something drastic happens.

As the meeting progresses, old energies are awakened, and it becomes evident that there is more at stake than a mock-medieval tournament.

Pite is known worldwide for her expressive stage language and powerful theatrical choreography.

Over her 35-year career, the Canadian artist has created more than 60 works for the world's leading ballet companies, including The Royal Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, Paris Opera Ballet, and National Ballet of Canada. She has won the Olivier Award, often called the "Oscar of dance," five times.

"Assembly Hall" is one of three collaborations between Pite and playwright Jonathon Young, the other two being "Revisor" and "Betroffenheit" – both of which won the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production.

Together, they developed a "lip-sync" technique in which the dancers' muscles precisely articulate every syllable of the recorded spoken text, down to the smallest breath and pause. Language and words are no longer annotations to the dance but become the engine driving the body.

In Shanghai, the audience will have the rare opportunity to witness how the boundaries between dance and theater are completely shattered.

Performance info

Dates: June 12-13, 7:30pm; June 14, 2pm

Tickets: 80-1,080 yuan

Venue: Shanghai International Dance Center Theater 上海国际舞蹈中心

Address: 1650 Hongqiao Rd 虹桥路1650号