Semi-autobiographical and explosive, Daniel York Loh’s psychedelic gig-theatrical punk pop rap rock riff on what path to choose, which identity politics to embrace or whether it’s just easier to follow the ‘Dao’ of ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi and dream you’re a butterfly.
Or, be a butterfly dreaming of being ‘Chinese’….
The ‘British Chinese’. So often regarded as a ‘model minority’. Quiet, high-achieving, polite, invisible…
But when someone who is ‘British Chinese’ spends their life taking drugs, getting thrown out of school, claiming benefits, being chased in stolen cars, getting locked up, then rehabilitating onto the stage, where do they fit in?Oh, and they’re not quite ‘Chinese’ enough anyway
Produced by Kakilang, supported by John Ellerman Foundation, Arts Council England, Battersea Arts Centre and Cockayne – Grants for the Arts: a donor advised fund held at The London Community Foundation.
Content advice: Scenes of racism/racist abuse, mild violence, swear words, drug abuse, mental health, loud music, flashing lights
Audio-described performance by Joe Strickland: Wed 3 July
Performance captioned by Alex Romeo: Wed 10 Jul, 7pm
Performances BSL interpreted by Becky Barry: Thu 11 Jul 2.30pm and 7pm
Post-show Panel Discussion: Thu 4 Jul – Join the cast and director of the show after the matinee performance
Post-show Panel Discussion: Sat 6 Jul 4:30pm – ‘Finding Your Dao: Exploring Mixed Identity, Racism, and Artistic Expression’
Join us to unpack some of the themes of ‘The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience’, including mixed Asian identity, racism and prejudice, and using art as a tool for reclaiming agency. We will be joined by panellists from across the arts and ESEA fields, to explore how they have been grappling with these issues to forge their own path, or dao, in life, and how they have been helping others do the same.
Click here for the digital free sheet.
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