Motivated by the desire to connect cultures, genres, people and times, the company Théâtre des Asphodèles continues to further its theatrical process in a meeting of the artistic and the human between Commedia dell’Arte and Chinese opera, French slam and Shanxi chants, video and calligraphy. The Mirror We’re in France, 1638. A young countess representing French nobility awaits a visit by a Chinese princess. She wants this meeting; to represent her country and strengthen the ties of friendship and trust between the two countries that have been broken by their fathers’ past mistakes. Four actor-acrobat-singers, two Chinese and two French, bring us into an original story with successive scenes that reflect the differences that bring us closer. A speaking mirror (a video screen) plunges us into the heart of the plot and reveals reflections of our true nature. Through interactive imagery and slam, The Mirror inverts the order of time, combining Italian and Chinese traditions and culture to create a new modern form. Does the Monkey King lay dormant within Arlequin? Théâtre des Asphodèles Artistic director Thierry Auzer studied drama and musical direction before working on Commedia dell'Arte with Carlo Boso, Alberto Nason and Dimma Vezzani. He founded Théâtre des Asphodèles in 1992 with the desire to combine his favourite genre of theatre with other disciplines: Chinese Opera and its tradition of using masks and suits or hip-hop culture as an urban, popular art form. In 1999, Théâtre des Asphodèles opened its own space in Lyon in order to be a place of creation, a work space for the other companies, and a drama school.