War and Turmoil Transformed into Dance: Tsai Po-cheng's New Work 'The Web' Weaves a Global Microcosm
After a decade of success in Europe, B.DANCE returns home with 'The Web.' Artistic Director Tsai Po-cheng explores themes of war and disaster at the National Theater, reflecting on the fragility and resilience of human connection.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 15:55
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Taipei, April 24 (CNA) – B.DANCE, the internationally renowned dance company, returns home after 10 years of acclaim in Europe. Artistic Director Tsai Po-cheng is set to take the stage at the National Theater for the first time with his latest work 'The Web,' a direct gaze at war and disaster that reflects on the destruction and rebirth of world order.
In an exclusive interview with CNA, Tsai shared his vision: the world is like a net where 'the movement of every node affects you and me thousands of miles away.' He expressed that Taiwan, existing under invisible pressures for long, is both tightly and sensitively connected to the world. Through this piece, he explores how humanity can find peace beyond power and defense.
Recalling the day the Russia-Ukraine war began, Tsai was in Germany for rehearsals. 'The moment the door opened, the entire company was in silent tears,' he said, remembering the pale, weeping Ukrainian dancers unable to contact their families. This experience made him realize how close war truly is. 'The Web' consists of sections titled 'First Silk,' 'Entanglement,' 'Submerged Net,' 'Rifts,' and 'Reweaving.' The visual imagery draws from Goya’s war paintings, moving from civilization's destruction to the concentration of power.
Tsai utilizes Berlin Techno as the score, with strong, repetitive beats expressing suppressed humanity under the shackles of civilization. He hopes that in 200 years, this work will serve as an imprint of how war and turmoil influenced people today. Recognized with the 2025 Taiwan-France Culture Award, Tsai remains committed to being a 'cultural transmitter and creator.' 'The Web' will be performed at the National Theater on April 25 and 26.
In an exclusive interview with CNA, Tsai shared his vision: the world is like a net where 'the movement of every node affects you and me thousands of miles away.' He expressed that Taiwan, existing under invisible pressures for long, is both tightly and sensitively connected to the world. Through this piece, he explores how humanity can find peace beyond power and defense.
Recalling the day the Russia-Ukraine war began, Tsai was in Germany for rehearsals. 'The moment the door opened, the entire company was in silent tears,' he said, remembering the pale, weeping Ukrainian dancers unable to contact their families. This experience made him realize how close war truly is. 'The Web' consists of sections titled 'First Silk,' 'Entanglement,' 'Submerged Net,' 'Rifts,' and 'Reweaving.' The visual imagery draws from Goya’s war paintings, moving from civilization's destruction to the concentration of power.
Tsai utilizes Berlin Techno as the score, with strong, repetitive beats expressing suppressed humanity under the shackles of civilization. He hopes that in 200 years, this work will serve as an imprint of how war and turmoil influenced people today. Recognized with the 2025 Taiwan-France Culture Award, Tsai remains committed to being a 'cultural transmitter and creator.' 'The Web' will be performed at the National Theater on April 25 and 26.