Ancient Greece was the birthplace of drama in the Western world. Today, in various Greek theaters, overseas Chinese — talented performers with a passion for drama — are giving their unique performances of intriguing stories. As such, they are helping to build a bridge connecting the Chinese and Greek cultures.

Inspiring Artistic Sparks

Formed in March 2021, in Athens, the Sino-Hellenic Performing Arts Alliance (SHPAA) is a non-profit cultural organization. Its performers are committed to exploring new ways of presenting China-Greece cultural ties, and of promoting cultural exchanges. 

During one SHPAA performance, the audience gets to watch as ancient Greek philosophers, Socrates and Plato, meet China's great thinkers, Confucius and Laozi. In another performance, they witness the snake of Asclepius, the Greco-Roman god of medicine, and son of Apollo, become a snake spirit, Bai Suzhen (known as White Snake), and save people's lives at West Lake, in Hangzhou, in east China's Zhejiang Province. 

Those are just two examples of how artistic sparks collide when Greek mythologies meet China's historical stories and folklore. 

Wang Wanping and her husband, Zhu Haotian, both founders of SHPAA, moved to Greece, for business and entrepreneurship, in 2017. They were once members of Los Angeles-based East West Performing Arts Alliance. Given their love for drama, the couple decided to launch SHPAA shortly after they arrived in Greece. 

"It has not always been easy … The drama industry was not that popular around 2021, and Chinese communities in Greece were few, and not lively. The SHPAA was just an amateur, nonprofit drama organization. We thought it would be hard to recruit enough performers," Wang recalls. 

With the help of GreekReporter, a Chinese-language media outlet, Wang and Zhu managed to recruit more than 20 wannabe performers. This year marks SHPAA's third anniversary. "Can you imagine that a group of people, with the same dream, gathered together and accompanied each other for three years?" Wang asks. Their first drama, Medea and Other Friends I Made in Athens, was adapted from a Greek play. With the original creative team's consent, Wang and Zhu added some of China's historical figures, and Chinese humor, to create a drama that used a unique form of storytelling between China and Greece. 

The drama tells the story of a Chinese tourist who fell off a cliff while visiting the Acropolis of Athens. During his fall, he traveled back to ancient Greece, where he had conversations with some ancient philosophers, from both China and Greece. 

"This drama is intriguing to both Chinese and Greek locals … especially for them to learn more about Chinese culture and also Greek drama tradition," says Wang. To Wang and Zhu's surprise, the drama received wide acclaim in 2021. Performances in the well-known Trianon Theater, in Nafplio, a city in Greece, attracted large audiences, of both Chinese and Greek spectators. Chinese media also reported on the drama. 

Their second drama, The New Legend of White Snake, is an original work written by Wang. It tells the story of an ancient Greek medical god who searched for the reincarnation of his spirit snake for thousands of years, and eventually found the reincarnated white snake by West Lake, in Hangzhou. The Greek god turned into a Chinese doctor, Xu Xian. The drama debuted in June 2022, and it was widely acclaimed during its 12 performances in four major cities of Greece. 

Dreams of Performing on Stage

While preparing to write and perform the dramas, the troupe members often sit together, studying Greek classics, obtaining drama knowledge, and practicing professional performance skills. Although each troupe member starts from scratch, not one flinches when difficulties arises. "We are not professionals, but it helps us to think from the perspective of the audience," says Wang. 

The troupe's members also learn from professional directors and performers. Wang takes pride in knowing the troupe's works have been recognized by Wang Xiaoying, one of China's top directors. Wang Xiaoying has been quoted as saying the troupe's dramas are of great value, as the team can always think outside the box and come up with new creations. 

Many directors, and other performers, have been moved by the troupe members' sincere love for drama. One Chinese woman, whose child now studies in Luxembourg, still returns to Greece to rehearse. She has performed in two dramas. 

Members and supporters of the troupe build the props. For example, a Chinese architect purchased the materials from a hardware store in Greece, and he sawed, painted and nailed the boards himself. "It was the hottest season in Greece. I still remember that he made those props outdoors, just after having leg surgery," Wang Wanping recalls. She was deeply moved by the architect's dedication. 

The SHPAA is a big multicultural family. The martial arts coach is Greek. He loves Chinese martial arts, and he once visited China, alone, to practice Chinese Kung Fu, even though he couldn't speak Chinese. After he returned to Greece, he opened a club to teach Chinese martial arts. 

"This Greek coach's professional teaching of Chinese Kung Fu to our performers has contributed to the great success of the drama," Wang Wanping says. "Our next work is based on the story of the Greek martial arts coach and Chinese Kung Fu. The script has been completed. We are ready to move on." 

A great passion for drama has brought these like-minded people together. "We may make mistakes, but rehearsals are always filled with laughter," Wang Wanping says. "Only if the performers are moved by their own performances, can the drama touch the audiences. The years we have spent together will surely become memories that we can relish in the future." 

Platform for Exchanges

The SHPAA has established a drama-training class, aimed at young Chinese in Greece. "The Greek Government and its people attach great importance to drama education. Some Chinese children cannot adapt to the new environment and its culture, which hinders them from fully showing their strength during drama performances while studying at local schools. We encourage them to give performances of their own lives, and we help them integrate into Greek life as quickly as possible, to restore their confidence and shine on stage," Wang Wanping says. 

The SHPAA aims to build a platform for cultural exchanges, through performances of dramas. On December 2, 2023, the 2023-2024 Sino-Hellenic International Theater Festival kicked off in Athens. During the year-long festival, amateur drama performers, from around the world, will gather along the Aegean Sea to participate in cultural exchanges.

The SHPAA has also gained support from China's professional directors and drama performers during the festival. The Prince of Lanling, directed by Wang Xiaoying, from the National Theater of China, was the first drama performed during the festival. Also, audiences witnessed Chinese dragon and lion dances, got to sample Chinese cuisine, and viewed Chinese calligraphies, paintings, and martial arts. 

"Our members have made great efforts in preparing for the Sino-Hellenic International Theater Festival. We hope to introduce more Greek dramas to China, by performing on tour during the second half of 2024," Wang Wanping says. 

Greece is a window, from which people can see the beautiful scenery of the world's dramas, Wang Wanping says. "We hope to bring China's excellent works to Greece, and to let people, from all over the world, know more about Chinese drama culture. Meanwhile, we will bring Greek works back to China, to promote exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations. 

"It is also a spiritual redemption for myself, as SHPAA has given me a sense of belonging in a foreign land. Sometimes, locals say they were impressed with SHPAA's plays. Their words have always made me proud. It is meaningful to let more people know a multifaceted China, with its engaging stories," Wang Wanping adds.

Photos from Interviewee

Sources: People's Daily Overseas Edition

(Women of China English Monthly September 2024)