A laboratory for imagination.

We work with puppets, objects, movement, light and music to create original theatre for audiences of different ages. We perform in streets and theatres, in cities and mountain villages, across China and abroad.

Our artists work across development, production, performance and teaching. We create family theatre, musicals and large-scale performances for cultural and tourism destinations.

Liu Xiaoyi graduated from Beijing Dance Academy in 2009 and founded Touch Laboratory in 2013. He works as a director, choreographer, puppetry artist and theatre educator. His training includes clowning, improvisation, mime and a puppetry masterclass in Prague.

His work includes puppetry direction on the Chinese production of the National Theatre’s War Horse; directing and choreography for the original Chinese musicals The Emperor’s Shadow, Wukong, God of War (杨戬), The Throne and the Poetry (南唐后主) and Lanling Wang (兰陵王); and Touch Laboratory’s suitcase theatre production The Wing Maker.