British Council reception

On Wednesday evening, British Council Beijing kindly hosted a reception for 100 Words and the National Youth Theatre. It took place at Neverland Coffee Bar, a very chic and relaxed venue with a screen installation by artist Shu-Min Lin. We brought all the Beijing Dramatists Association participants along while the National Youth Theatre brought the 10 Chinese artists they have been working with. As well as speeches, there was an interactive moment when we all sent texts of a word or words close to our heart to a Chinese mobile number – moments later, the words snaked down the screen (mine included creativity, imagination, adventure, passion and baizi). The winning films from the two online competitions run in China and the UK in partnership with the National Youth Theatre, BBC Blast, SOHU.com and the British Council were also screened along with some showreels of the National Youth Theatre’s work. It was a great chance for the National Youth Theatre members to see another side of Beijing and to connect with others involved in the contemporary arts scenes in China, as well as marking an exciting week of exchange and creativity for both organisations.