Tang Mei-yun and Nymphia Wind Share the Stage at NTCH's 'Good Philosopher's Bench,' Revealing the Soul of Cross-Gender Performance

According to news released by the National Theater and Concert Hall (NTCH), 'Good Philosopher's Bench' invited Tang Mei-yun and Nymphia Wind to share the artistic marvels of gender transformation. Tang Mei-yun shared how she has constructed male charisma through 'Kun Sheng' (male roles played by female actors) over the years, refining her gender interpretation skills on stage through solid movements and vocal techniques. Nymphia Wind, on the other hand, shared how drag culture emerged from underground scenes and became a performing art form that expresses self and conveys ideas. Tang Mei-yun shared that her long-term dedication to 'Kun Sheng' roles has naturally imbued her with a heroic stage presence even in her daily life. Senior fans are often amazed to see her in casual clothes, exclaiming, 'You look beautiful even in women's clothing!' Nymphia Wind stated that 'Leo Tsao' (Nymphia's real name) offstage is completely different from the glamorous persona on stage. However, through countless drag performances, the fearless confidence of 'Nymphia Wind' has transformed into a part of her daily life. Nymphia pointed out that the definition of gender is not fixed but can be deconstructed and re-understood, and it doesn't always have to be taken seriously. Liu Yi-ju, Artistic Director of the NTCH, stated that thinking and communicating together in a physical space makes issues more concrete and relatable. This discussion, starting from cross-gender performances on stage, extends to gender temperament and identity fluidity in daily life, opening up multiple imaginations for the audience's self-identity. Liu Yi-ju particularly thanked the Carrefour Cultural and Educational Foundation for its support, allowing more listeners to embark on this cross-domain intellectual journey with the NTCH. 'Gender Shift on Stage – Taiwanese Opera Kun Sheng vs. Drag Queen' will be broadcast on April 16th as the first episode of 'Good Philosopher's Bench' Season 6. Please tune in to the 'Good Philosopher's Bench' channel on platforms such as Apple Podcast, Spotify, KKBOX, SoundOn, and YouTube (listening link: https://pr.ntch.art/ntchpodcast). (Editor: Lee Shu-hua) 1150408