100 Words takes as its inspiration the changes evident in Beijing as it prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2008, particularly the way in which taxi drivers and other people working in the service industries are being encouraged by the government to ‘learn 100 sentences for daily use in a foreign language’.  Originally devised as a response to this, the project draws further inspiration from the awarding of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to London.

100 Words has been researched and developed over a two year period, with pilot activity taking place in both London and Beijing.  Last summer, 100 Words ran a week of workshops and performances in partnership with the National Youth Theatre as part of its 50th anniversary season at Soho Theatre. This year’s event, again produced in collaboration with the National Youth Theatre, has a greater Chinese content with plays written by young British and Chinese writers shown each day from Monday 27 August to Saturday 1 September.

100 Words has been created by two established British theatre practitioners, Natasha Betteridge and Rachel Parslew, both of whom have extensive experience of working in China.  Other members of the team include director/actor Oliver Williams and associate director/advisor Dr Li Ruru.  The project will be delivered in partnership with organisations in China and the UK.

The development of 100 Words has been supported by Arts Council England, British Council China via Connections through Culture and China Now.

www.100wordplay.com