Hansel & Gretel - WITCH

My narrative explores the prevailing themes of fear and oppression in the context of contemporary Taiwanese society, drawing parallels to the story of Hansel and Gretel. In the current political landscape, there exists a heightened apprehension regarding the potential invasion by the People's Republic of China. This concern is underscored by the increasing strictness compared to previous times. In the libretto, the third act describes that the witch, within her gingerbread house, remains unseen by the children. Slowly revealing herself, the witch seizes the opportunity to capture the children. Notably, the allure of economic and career opportunities in the big cities of mainland China serves as a metaphorical gingerbread house, enticing young Taiwanese individuals, only for them to find their soul get swallowed. Drawing inspiration from Act 3 of the libretto, where it describes the Witch's gradual revelation, starting with the upper part of the house-door opening gently and the Witch's head appearing, I conceptualized the Witch character with a focus on her movements. I began by considering how the Witch would unveil herself during physical transformations, emphasizing how her aggressive personality would manifest.