Don't miss this spectacular production as part of the 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Autumn IS 2025 International Theatre Season

Magical Fantasy Theater

Bells and Spells

Tickets Now Available

Witness the captivating fusion of physical theater, dance, magic, and comedy as two generations of female artists from the Chaplin family weave their enchanting spells together.

An unforgettable visual extravaganza

"When the bells ring, the spell begins…"

The magical legacy passed down by two generations of female artists from the Chaplin family

Picture this: the handkerchief in your pocket begins to twitch and breathe, the coat rack in your living room starts to stir with a mind of its own, and a clumsy yet dignified wooden dinosaur emerges…

These delightful fantasies are the creation of two generations of female artists from the Chaplin family: director Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin, who is the daughter of Charlie Chaplin and the granddaughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill, and her daughter, lead actress Aurélia Thiérrée.

Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin did not just inherit her father's comedic talent; she and her husband revolutionized the circus world. They launched the "New Circus" movement, ditching animal acts to spotlight the incredible potential of the human body and the enchanting power of props. Her creations are a feast of "illusionary artistry", turning everyday items into breathtaking fairy tale wonders. As for her daughter, Aurélia Thiérrée, she is a true "circus sprite".  Raised in the tents of the "Cirque Imaginaire" and "Cirque Invisible" her parents created, the stage has always been her playground. For her, magic is not just a trick - it is in her blood.

Bells and Spells marks the third dazzling collaboration between Aurélia and her mother Victoria. This spellbinding performance speaks volumes without uttering a single word. Through exquisitely poetic physicality, heart-stopping magical illusions, and humor that defies reality, it invites you into the hidden world of a truly "special" woman.

Media Reviews

Bells and Spells reads like a poem on pain and defiance. Its allure is in turning pain into radiance. Aurélia Thiérrée is a fire-stealer, with the rest shrouded in mystery. This performance is a dazzling spectacle that unlocks the soul.

- LE TEMPS

Bells and Spells delivers on its promise of a mischievous charm, with surreal humor and twists at every turn.

- THE TIMES

Forgetting reality for a night is pure bliss. Imagine tearing a handkerchief into pieces and making it vanish behind a dream. In this show, everything blends, transforms, and endlessly recreates itself. It is all about casting countless spells, creating the magical effect of a glass of champagne that suddenly turns to sand and slips through your fingers.

- LE MONDE

Allow me to present what might just be the most exquisite performance of the month, the year, the decade, and perhaps even the century. It is rare to find a show that weaves poetry in such a captivating and mesmerizing way. Spell? This is pure treasure.

- L'EXPRESS

When objects "strike back": A flight of fancy from the director

In Bells and Spells, Aurélia portrays a woman who cannot help but "borrow" things that are not hers - a glittering brooch, an antique music box, a mysterious painting…But these items do not just sit idly by. They take the reins, pulling her into a whirlwind of outlandish, comical, and just a touch unsettling adventures and misfortunes.

Director Victoria revealed that part of the play's inspiration came from the legendary mid-20th-century circus thief "Pola". He would "steal" items from the audience right before their eyes, only to return them all at the end of the show.

Pola's tale infuses Bells and Spells with its soul, making for a captivating performance about a kleptomaniac's wild adventures and misfortunes. The objects at play include a music box and an ancient, mysterious painting. Director Victoria uses this to delve deeper, quoting the renowned French poet Alphonse de Lamartine: "Inanimate objects, do you have a soul that attaches to our soul and the strength to love?"

Inanimate objects, do you have a soul that attaches to our soul and the strength to love?

- Alphonse de Lamartine

Stepping into a medieval antique shop: Tumbling into the stage's bizarre dream

Bells and Spells conjures an antique shop vibe with its vintage decor. Weathered trinkets, exquisite artworks, and retro wallpapers and paintings whisk you back to 18th and 19th-century Europe.

What is truly amazing is the incredible imagination and magical transformation these props bring. They are not just static decorations; they are "magicians" on stage. Among a cluster of coat hangers, a "wooden horse" suddenly appears. When the heroine gently pats its neck, the horse's head actually moves in a lifelike way. A simple combination of a bedsheet and a hat can instantly turn the heroine into a monstrous "reptile", perfectly capturing her loneliness and strangeness. A coat hanger bent into a silver "bird beak", paired with the actor's movements, conjures an eerie "bird" shadow that eerily resembles the iconic look of a medieval "plague doctor".

Bells and Spells

"When the bells ring, the spell begins…"

The stage is a playground of illusions. One moment, Aurélia is playfully mimicking the Austrian queen in a portrait; the next, her head seems to detach from her body in a blink. These tricks blend so smoothly with the acting that they are hard to miss.

The play's scene shifts are like a perfectly tuned visual symphony. The props' magic is not just in their design - it is in how they sync with the actors' every move and angle. Smooth transitions between scenes are crucial for the performance's success. Behind the mind-bending visuals are meticulously planned stage movements and second-precise timing. As heroine Aurélia said, "Precision at every step is key, and it's no easy feat." In the end, the audience is taken on a ride where scenes flow into each other through twisted logic, like slipping into a dream that is strange yet strangely logical.

Play Introduction

This one-act play unfolds through a series of scenes. Aurélia Thiérrée stars as a "special" woman who discovers that the items she "borrows" are slowly taking control of her. In this unpredictable drama, incredible machines, strange encounters, and a wild music box all play a part in her journey.

The show's rhythm is quirky and tightly wound, with scenes of "everyday life" tumbling out one after the other. Aurélia keeps gathering objects that are not hers, pulling the audience into a world brimming with possibilities. She swings open the door with an elegant, airy touch, ushering us into her restless yet poetic imagination.

Aurélia, a multi-talented artist, teams up with performer and dancer Jamie Martinez to take you on a journey through a magical, surreal, and humorous world. Together, they explore the world where Aurélia is "controlled" by objects. Imagine chairs and tables moving on their own, walls that seem to breathe, everyday items turning into bizarre creatures, and a pile of coat hangers morphing into a dragon. In Bells and Spells, you will step into a world where wonder and illusion dance together.

[Showtime]

7:30 PM October 24, 2025 (Friday)

7:30 PM October 25, 2025 (Saturday)

2:00 PM October 26, 2025 (Sunday)

[Venue]

Theatre YOUNG - Main Stage (1155 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai)

[Duration]

Approximately 70 minutes (non-stop)

[Language]

Dialogue-free

[Notes]

The show features smoke effects.

[Ticket Prices]

￥180/280/380/480/580

[Early Bird Offer]

Period: Until 11:55 AM August 26

Discounts

15% off an RMB 580 ticket

10% off an RMB 480 ticket

["Autumn IS" International Drama Season Offer: Discounts on Selected Plays]

With a "Try or Not" voucher, you are eligible for seat selection and exchange

Bundle A: Pick any 3 out of 6 main stage shows at RMB 480 each! Just RMB 999!

Bundle B: Pick any 3 out of 6 main stage shows at RMB 380 each! Just RMB 912!

Bundle C: ALL IN access to 7 shows at RMB 280 each (Note: "Richard III" is not included in this bundle)! Just RMB 1,764!

The Bundle C is no longer available for purchase.

["Autumn IS" International Drama Season Student Offer]

University students can enjoy a 40% discount on tickets after verifying via the China Higher Education Student Information Network (chsi.com.cn).

Each student is limited to one discounted ticket per show. Tickets are subject to availability.

Production Team

Concept & Direction

Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin

Daughter of comedy legend Charlie Chaplin and granddaughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill

In 1970, Victoria Chaplin met actor and director Thiérrée. They created the Cirque Bonjour together, revolutionizing the circus performance scene. Their circus was a hit at the Festival d'Avignon in 1971 and soon toured all over France. The couple then shifted to more intimate, personalized shows, with a flair for illusions. They took it a step further with their "Cirque Imaginaire", performing alongside their kids, Aurélia and James. The family toured the world with two shows, captivating audiences across five continents. In 2003, Victoria crafted and directed Jeu Divin d'Aurélia, with Aurélia Thiérrée in the lead. The play toured extensively until 2011, when their second piece, Murmures des Murs, took the stage. Fast forward to 2018, and Bells and Spells made its debut at Italy's Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds.

Lead Actor

Aurélia Thiérrée

Aurélia spent her childhood immersed in the world of circus, nurtured by her parents' troupes, "Cirque Imaginaire" and "Cirque Invisible". She toured with the London-based Lily Trio band, in their "Tiger Lily Circus" show. Her performance resume is impressively varied, spanning cabarets, theaters, and variety shows across cities like Berlin and New York. She has also worked with renowned film directors Deborah Warner and Milos Forman. She starred in Jeu Divin d'Aurélia from 2003 to 2011, taking the show on an international tour. From 2011 to 2018, she was in Murmures des Murs. Her latest hit, Bells and Spells, which premiered at Italy's Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds, marks her third creative venture with her mother, Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin.

Actor

Jamie Martinez

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in South Carolina, Jamie Martinez honed his craft under Ann Brodie and Naomi Calvert. He furthered his training at the North Carolina School of the Arts and the American Dance Machine in New York. A founding member of Parsons Dance since 1985, he has conducted nearly 400 master classes, including a notable residency at The Juilliard School. In 1998, he was honored with the New York Dance and Performance Awards, the Bessies, often dubbed the "Oscar of Modern Dance". His performances have graced prestigious stages worldwide, including the Ballet de l'Opéra national du Rhin in France, the Ballets Jazz Montréal, and the New York City Ballet. He has also been a key participant in all productions by Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin.

Production Team

Concept & Direction: Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin

Lead Actor: Aurélia Thiérrée

Actor: Jamie Martinez

Costume & Set Design: Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin

Choreography: Amado Sandin, Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin

Lighting Design: Fiammetta Badisari, Fabio Pozzetto

Lighting Technician: Valentin Delonne

Sound Design: Dam Buffard

Sound Engineering: Christian Lemmens

Stage Management: Gerd Walter, Monika Schwitzer, Jonathan Heblé

Technical Director: Gerd Walter

Production & Tour: Virginia Fornari

Tour Production: Live Art International

Co-Produced by: Théâtre Célestin in Lyon, France; Théâtre de Carouge in Geneva, Switzerland; Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy

Special Thanks: Sarah Zareif, Prof. Aaron Gozdes, Prof. Paul Verlannes, Nikolita Banaskevitch

The 2025 "Autumn IS" International Drama Season is set to host 54 shows of 10 plays from Belgium, Germany, France, Japan, Belarus, and China. These plays bring a wealth of themes and innovative forms, blending elements like magic, music, documentaries, visual arts, puppetry, and immersive experiences. For two months, the theatre will be a hub of new and exciting experiences, embodying the youthful spirit of the "Autumn IS" theatre season.

The 2025 "Autumn IS" International Drama Season is poised to build on and broaden its offerings, with a carefully curated lineup of diverse art outreach activities and distinctive theme projects. Theatre YOUNG is dedicated to transcending the spatial confines of conventional theaters. By adopting an innovative two-way interactive approach of "reaching out" and "bringing in" and by seamlessly merging online and offline experiences, it seeks to create a borderless art experience, offering the public a richly participatory and deeply immersive artistic environment.