¡@¡@The
Paper Windmill Cultural Foundation is a non-profit organization
devoted to promoting the performing arts. In 2002, this
foundation took over the renovation and operation of The
Red Playhouse, a redbrick building in Taipei's Ximending
district.
¡@¡@The
impressive octagonal design of The Red Playhouse was created
by a Japanese architect in 1904. The structure was completed
in 1908, and in its heyday it was the entertainment center
of Ximending, offering storytelling series and performance
art events. However, The Red Playhouse closed its doors
to the public in 1970, and gradually fell into a state
of neglect and disrepair.
| ¡@¡@Recently,
its value to this area began once again to be appreciated,
and a search was initiated for an organization that
could properly restore this historical site to its
former glory. Yung-feng Lee, chief executive officer
of the Paper Windmill Cultural Foundation (§õ¥ÃÂ×,
°õ¦æªø), says that since this foundation is a nonprofit
organization, it should do something for the community,
especially the arts community, and that taking on
The Red Playhouse project felt ¡§right.¡¨ |
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¡@¡@The
Red Playhouse now focuses on food and drink, exhibitions,
and the playhouse. The first floor features the Paper
Windmill Cafe with unique displays, such as an aquarium
with a tree growing through it, and another one with laminated
old photos of Ximending placed on the side of a model
of the Titanic. The first floor also has an exhibition/gift
shop area, with temporary exhibitions that are free of
charge to enter.
¡@¡@The
second floor houses the playhouse stage. Lee says that
on the second floor, the original structure of the building
remains very evident, as he strove to keep as much of
the original brick as possible, while adding modern ventilation
and lighting systems. The atmosphere is based on the teahouses
of ancient China, complete with wooden tables and chairs,
and a free pot of tea for each table. Some of the tabletops
feature articles written by friends of The Red Playhouse
and engraved on plaques.
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¡@¡@Also
under the Paper Windmill Cultural Foundation umbrella
is the highly acclaimed Paper Windmill Theatre Group,
which specializes in live performances for children.
Lee, who has a background in theater direction,
serves as the group¡¦s artistic director. He comes
up with ideas for the plays, which combine acting,
dance, special effects and cultural themes.
¡@¡@The
goal of this group is to make live theater accessible
to children. In addition to performing at The Red
Playhouse, the group travels all over Taiwan.
¡@¡@However,
The Paper Windmill Theatre Group is unique in that
many of its members are not professional actors,
but people from all walks of life with an interest
in acting.
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¡@¡@Lee
says: ¡§If a person has interest, he/she is willing to
accept training. Moreover, what children want to see is
'genuine heart.' For without heart, there is no performance.
It is heart that separates amateurs from professionals,
not technique."
¡@¡@Although
the Paper Windmill Theatre Group does not have a promotional
budget, its performances are well attended. Lee says that
this is because of the "product," meaning the
plays themselves. Paper Windmill constantly introduces
new styles, and thus its audiences keep returning to see
the group¡¦s latest innovations.
¡@¡@The
Red Playhouse has followed on the heels of Paper Windmill¡¦s
success. On any given weekend day, there are about 4,000
to 5,000 visitors. These numbers are higher than for many
of Taiwan¡¦s museums, meaning that The Red Playhouse has
re-earned its place as a premier cultural and entertainment
site.
The
Red Playhouse (¬õ¼Ó¼@³õ)
10, ChengDu Road, Ximending (¦èªùËm¦¨³£¸ô10¸¹)
(02) 2311-9380
www.redplayhouse.com.tw
Paper
Windmill Cultural Foundation (¯È·¨®¤å±Ð°òª÷·|)
3F, 59, ZhongChing South Road, Section 2 («¼y«n¸ô2¬q59¸¹3¼Ó)
(02) 2392-6170
www.paperwindmill.com.tw
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