Puy du Fou and Happy Twist Sign Cooperation Letter of Intent

The agreement stipulates that Puy du Fou will fully assist Happy Twist in its localized development in the French market, helping Chinese comedy to be presented to French audiences in diverse forms, and promoting Chinese culture to the international stage. The cooperation will include, but is not limited to, stage plays, films and television dramas, and other forms of performance creation. Through the deep integration of traditional Chinese culture and French artistic aesthetics, it will showcase the unique charm and contemporary vitality of Chinese culture to French audiences.

At the same time, Happy Twist will provide localized guidance and suggestions for Puy du Fou's projects in China, helping it better adapt to the needs and cultural characteristics of the Chinese market. In addition, Puy du Fou and Happy Twist will jointly actively introduce more excellent stage works, bringing a unique French-style immersive artistic experience to Chinese audiences, and further enriching the content ecology of the Chinese theater market.

Bai Yutang, the French Ambassador to China, who attended the signing ceremony, said in his speech: “The French government attaches great importance to the development and implementation of Puy du Fou in China. This signing between Puy du Fou and Happy Twist has become another milestone in its development in China, following the official opening of Puy du Fou Asia's first show, SAGA City of Light, in September 2024. The signing of this agreement also marks the beginning of a long-term and fruitful cross-cultural cooperation between France and China, promoting interaction and exchange among cross-national artists, stage technicians, creators, and audiences while showcasing and sharing different histories and traditions.”

Speech by French Ambassador to China, Bai Yutang

Anne ZHAO, Co-Chairman of the Puy du Fou Asia Board of Directors, said: “Puy du Fou and Happy Twist, as leading representatives of French and Chinese theater respectively, will take the creation of highly innovative and emotionally powerful works of art as their development mission. ‘SAGA City of Light,’ which officially opened in Shanghai four months ago, is an immersive performance experience project created by Puy du Fou. This immersive, real-life performance, with its innovative experience of the audience ‘walking and watching,’ as if they were in a ‘movie’ scene, tells a story set against a Haipai cultural background that touches the heart and explores human nature. The innovative expression of ‘Chinese-style humor’ and the humanistic care in Happy Twist's works will help SAGA City of Light to more accurately reflect the Chinese cultural background and tell Chinese stories during its implementation in the Chinese market. Puy du Fou will also fully empower Happy Twist and Chinese comedy to take to the European stage, allowing French audiences to experience the unique charm of Chinese humor.”

Speech by Anne ZHAO, Co-Chairman of the Puy du Fou Asia Board of Directors

Shen Teng, a founding actor of Happy Twist, shared his blessings and expectations for this cooperation in his speech: “I am very happy to cooperate with Puy du Fou, an internationally renowned brand from France. This is not only an honor for Happy Twist, but also a pride for Chinese comedy. I believe that through this cooperation, we can better showcase the essence of Chinese comedy to the world and allow more international audiences to feel the charm of Chinese comedy. At the same time, I also look forward to drawing more inspiration and nourishment from French live theater culture, injecting new vitality into Happy Twist's creation!” Ma Li said: “I hope that through this cooperation, we can exchange with artists in the French theater industry and jointly create more excellent comedy works, making a greater contribution to Sino-French cultural exchange. At the same time, I also hope to have the opportunity to bring joy to French audiences, allowing them to feel the unique charm of Chinese culture through laughter.”

Messages from Famous Actors Shen Teng and Ma Li

In the future, the two sides will carry out in-depth cooperation in multiple areas, including jointly creating theatrical works, holding comedy festivals, and conducting exchange training for actors and creative personnel. Through these cooperative projects, they will promote mutual learning and integration of Sino-French theatrical arts, provide a broader platform for the growth of theatrical talents in both countries, jointly promote the prosperity of theatrical arts, and contribute Sino-French wisdom and strength to the development of world theatrical culture.

The Puy du Fou and Happy Twist Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony Concludes Successfully

About Puy du Fou

Puy du Fou in France is the world's only large-scale theme park brand that is 100% committed to restoring historical scenes and traditional culture. After 48 years of development and expansion, its global business now covers Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and other Asian countries. It has won dozens of world's best rankings and international awards, has been awarded the title of “World's Best Theme Park” several times, and continues to lead the global historical and cultural performing arts industry. It is a vivid window showcasing French history, culture, and national spirit, and is known as a “French treasure.” At the same time, while developing performing arts theme parks, Puy du Fou has established a youth academy (performing arts), and has been committed to the cultivation of performing arts talents for a long time.

About SAGA City of Light

SAGA City of Light, created by Puy du Fou over four years at a cost of more than 670 million RMB, is located in Xuhui District, the center of Shanghai. It boasts 1400 types of props totaling over 26,000 pieces, 1334 lamps, 327 speakers, over 300 custom-made performance costumes, and world-class grand and exquisite scenery, including an 88-meter-long ship cabin, an 82-meter-long train cabin, and dozens of plot scenes. Over 100 excellent Chinese and foreign professional actors bring audiences an unmissable visual feast. It has been certified by Guinness World Records as the “largest immersive theater in the performance area.” ‘City of Light’ is the first in Puy du Fou's newly created series of “offline real-life movies,” where the audience's eyes serve as the camera in a single, unbroken shot. The series' scripts are regularly updated, co-directed by Chinese and French directors, to bring audiences new viewing expectations. In addition, there are accompanying themed restaurants, bars, and cafes to provide audiences with a comprehensive themed experience.

About Happy Twist

Happy Twist has cultivated the comedy field for over 20 years, becoming a leader in China's comedy industry. It has comprehensively developed in various comedy content creation areas, including stage plays and films. Since its establishment, it has created and produced over 100 stage plays, with 12,000 annual performances nationwide, covering more than 100 cities and bringing endless joy to tens of millions of viewers. Happy Twist has not only achieved outstanding results in the domestic market but also actively promotes Chinese comedy culture to the world. Its classic work, "Charlotte's Troubles," has been shown in Canada, Australia, and other countries, bringing humor and happiness around the globe. Audiences from different countries and regions have experienced the unique charm of Chinese comedy, receiving countless laughs and praise. This showcases the vitality and creativity of Chinese comedy to the world, making Happy Twist an "ambassador of comedy."