2026 TPAC Select Kicks Off with an Opening Performance of Approaching Theatre’s Ghostopia
In 2026, the Taipei Performing Arts Center (TPAC) will present the second edition of TPAC Select, which brings together top artists from around the world to present experimental and thought-provoking theatrical works. These works explore the essence of human existence, social change, and possibilities for the future. This series kicks off in Mar 2026 with Approaching Theatre’s Ghostopia.
Photo Credit: Kris Kang
Ghostopia tells the story of an expert ghost hunter who visits a dilapidated public housing complex to exorcise a ghost but unexpectedly uncovers long-standing entanglements between humans and ghosts involving love and hate, past and present. The core theme of this work is the juxtaposition of death and resurrection, while the narrative alternates between the real and the fictional, branching off from the established historical narrative, to reconfigure reality within a framework of substitutability and counter factuality. Throughout this work, there is an unavoidable process of elimination and reconstruction, to present a fractured, yet continuously extending, state of life that is both poetic and full of tension.
What is exceptional about this work is that there are no fixed roles, rather a fluid kaleidoscope-like shifting of characters. The actors freely change identities, such as from male to female, old to young, and human to ghost, creating unique visual effects and narrative rhythm. CHENG Yin-Chen gives a remarkable performance, as she nimbly transitions among characters, as well as languages, dialects, and accents. Added to that are her exceptional physicality, stage presence, and rhythm, making her performance a highlight of this work.
Photo Credit: TPAC
KOH Choon Eiow (Malaysia) and CHENG (Taiwan) co-founded Approaching Theatre. Its core spirit of approachability signifies a return to the most fundamental source and essence of things. Its two founders are proficient in many fields, such as playwriting, directing, acting, drama education, and publishing. As they create, they explore connections between literature and drama and the classical and the contemporary. Moreover, Approaching Theatre’s aesthetics are deeply inspired by the modesty and tranquility of Asian traditional arts. Through meticulous aesthetics and intellectual enquiries of theater, they cultivate works, continuing their aesthetic pursuits through endless exchanges and reflection to form a distinctive creative style.
Photo Credit: TPAC
At the first Taipei Theatre Awards ceremony held in 2025, this work received double recognition: the Best Play Writing Award for KOH and the Best Actress in a Play Award for CHENG. In awarding these top prizes, the jury noted that the script features the application of montage and juxtaposition techniques to create quick and surprising transitions. Despite the changing roles, thematic unity and integrity are maintained. Weighty historical content is wrapped in humor, with the revelation of clear symbols and tropes amidst the absurdity. Its witty and clever language and brisk rhythm create abundant possibilities for mise-en-scene and showcase a mature form that combines artistic and cultural flare with comedy.
The Taipei Theatre Awards are Taiwan’s first professional awards focused on contemporary theatrical creation. They were established to recognize outstanding stage productions each year through open call and professional judging processes. This is expected to be an influential platform committed to fair and impartial evaluation across diverse creative styles and cultural backgrounds. With openness, innovation, and diversity as its core values, this awards program encourages creators to transcend the limitations of language, technology, and forms to enable more works that involve profound themes and innovative aesthetics to be seen. The impressive list of inaugural award winners foreshadows the continued strong presence of Taiwanese theatrical creations in the international arts and culture arena.