Edinburgh Fringe Chats (#92): Wan Xing, WAVES OF TRADITION
As anticipation builds for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, we’re catching up with a range of exciting creatives preparing to bring their work to the world’s largest arts festival this August. In this series, we delve into the stories behind the shows, the inspiration driving the artists, and what audiences can expect. Today, we’re joined by Wan Xing, the music director of Waves of Tradition.
1. Can you begin by telling us about your show and what inspired it?
A fusion of Scottish and Chinese traditions, blending Guzheng (a Chinese plucked zither), harp, bodhrán into a tapestry of melodies and rhythms. This journey bridges East and West, reimagining tradition in an innovative musical landscape. This unique collaboration unites Guzheng, harp, and bodhrán, blending the rich musical heritages of Chinese and Scottish music. Featuring reimagined folk melodies, rhythmic improvisations, and contemporary compositions, the performance transcends borders, creating a fresh, evocative sonic journey.
2. What made you want to bring this work to the Fringe this year?
Wan masters diversified music styles and crossover with her Gu Zheng. In 2023, she was chosen to participate in the project founded by Yo-Yo Ma, “Silkroad – Global Musician Workshop” and performed in the United States. In this groundbreaking experiment, Yo-Yo Ma enlisted musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to form a multiethnic touring ensemble performing the music of its members’ countries, “bridging geographic and cultural boundaries with the universal power of music.” Wan met two extraordinary musicians, Scottish Bodhrán master Gregor Black and Celtic Harpist Eleanor Dunsdon in the project. After the "Silkroad - Global Musician Workshop", they found there are lots of common interests and potential to further collaborate. The concept of cross-cultural improvisation blending their deep-rooted musical heritages is the key for this concert.
3. How would you describe your show in three words?
Innovative, Unique, Cross-cultural
4. What do you hope audiences take away from watching your performance?
I hope they will be amazed by how perfect the three instruments come together through delicate arrangements and superb improvisation, and that they would love the ancient folk songs from China, Scotland and Ireland blending into a unique style that is truly one of a kind in the world.
5. What’s your top tip for surviving the Fringe?
This is my first Fringe experience, we’re also very much looking forward to it.
6. Where and when can people see your show?
Where: theSpace Surgeons' Hall Theatre 2, Nicolson Street, EH8 9WD
When: 19-23 August 2025 18:00-18:45
READ MORE FROM THE FRINGE..
