Mahua FunAge, China's most popular comedy brand, recently signed a strategic cooperation letter of intent with Puy du Fou, France's leading theme park brand known for historical and cultural shows, in a bid to strengthen cultural exchanges and promote the development of comedy between the two nations.
The collaboration will extend to various areas, including the joint creation of comedy productions, the co-hosting of comedy festivals, and the organization of exchange and training programs for performers and creators.
Zhang Chen, founder and president of Mahua FunAge, emphasized the long-standing history of cultural exchange between China and France. He shared that his own journey with French culture began many years ago when he first encountered The Hypocrite, a classic comedy by master playwright Moliere.
Speaking of the challenges of adapting comedic content for different cultures, Zhang expressed his hope for deeper collaboration in the co-creation of comedies involving both Chinese and French artists.
Lisa Han, CEO of Mahua FunAge, said the company selected Puy du Fou for its renowned expertise in residency shows, the two brands bonding over a mutual understanding of the challenges that come with navigating the history of the performing art.
"At a relatively concentrated venue, they stage around 20 plays that run year-round. Residency presents significant challenges for the theater industry — it's difficult for a production to consistently attract audiences daily while keeping actors motivated amid the constant repetition of performances. These are all demanding tasks," Han shared more.
She revealed that the selection process for the first batch of Mahua FunAge's comedies to be introduced to France is currently underway, with an estimated timeline of 10 to 12 months for the creation and rehearsal of the first co-production project.
Established in 2003, Mahua FunAge has produced over 100 stage shows, with annual performances totaling 12,000 across more than 100 cities. Some of the brand's most popular shows have already been staged internationally, with such examples including performances of Goodbye Mr. Loser in Canada and The Count of Mount Wulong in Australia.
Actor Shen Teng and actress Ma Li, two of Mahua FunAge's most renowned comedians, also attended the signing event for the collaboration, expressing their shared love and passion for the stage.
