Beijing Dance Theater performs Hyper during the 2018 Contemporary Theater Biennale. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Speaking about theater, Meng says: "I am inspired by lots of things, like beautiful poems, a piece of music and dance. Nowadays, when you think of theater, or let's say, Chinese theater, it is a broader concept. For people like us, who are actors, directors and stage designers, as well as the audience, we all should keep an open vision about theater."

Meng, who is the artistic director of the event, also invited his friend, dancer-choreographer Wang Yuanyuan, to open the event with a contemporary dance titled Hyper.

The dance, performed by the Beijing Dance Theater, which Wang founded in Beijing in 2008, comprises two parts: Manolita Chen, choreographed by Spanish artist Marcos Morau, which mixes flamenco, ballet and contemporary dance; and Requiem, choreographed by Wang, who draws inspiration from the terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015.

Speaking about her performance, Wang says: "When Meng told me that he borrowed the concept of a biennial from the art world to create a theater version, I was very interested. The line between different contemporary art forms is blurring. So, audiences get exposed to various art forms in one sitting."