Founded in 1997 by Joseph Alford, who trained with the late mime master Jacques Lecoq in Paris, Theatre O is a physical theatre made up of young actors, writers, musicians and designers from around the world.
The "O" in Theatre O is defined on the playbill as "an exclamation expressing surprise, admiration, pain, longing, joy, etc." It could just as easily refer to the shape of one's mouth while watching the show.
The definition, nonetheless, is not false advertising, as all of the described emotions are among those one experiences while watching its tragicomedies.
Its productions are powerfully influenced by the late mime master Jacques Lecoq, since all the members, like Alford, are alumni of Jacques Lecoq's school in Paris.
The Lecoq style, owing a debt to its comedian forebears, includes mime, masks and a heavy reliance on the physical aspects of performance.
(China Daily November 19, 2002)
