Tales of silent suffering through monologues

On the stage of Beijing's Drum Tower West Theatre, the narrators, all women, ascended one by one. Against a pure black backdrop, supported only by simple art installations, they shared their own feelings or stories, some through poetic and abstract lines, others via lucid accounts of their own life episodes.

As the last performer, in a gentle yet firm tone, shared her poignant childhood experiences growing up with an abusive father, the other performers joined her on stage and sat in a circle, quietly listening to her.

Each performer had close experiences with depression, most having been diagnosed themselves, while others have friends grappling with the condition. These monologues were their responses to a question they've been too often asked, also the production's title, "What Happened to You?"

Directed by contemporary art critic and curator Liao Wen, the production was staged at the theater between Aug 30 and Sept 1, as a part of this year's sixth Luminous Festival, an annual event highlighting inclusive arts with stage performances, seminars and workshops.