Brand-new staged readings of plays by some of the most exciting contemporary writers of East Asian descent around the world that have never been produced in the UK.
Last spring Yellow Earth Theatre’s TyphoonWEST readings at Soho Theatre sold out so make sure you book your tickets now.
Friday 18 October 2.30pm
You Never Touched the Dirt by Zhu Yi
Directed by Fumi Gomez
The Li family would be enjoying their new lake-view luxury villa outside the city, were they not surrounded by the gardeners, maids, and security guards who once owned the land its built on-not to mention the gods, ghosts and spirits there for thousands of years before them!
You Never Touched the Dirt was produced in China in 2018 and New York earlier this year.
Zhu Yi is a New York-based writer, originally from China with an MFA in playwriting, Columbia University. She received first Prize at the 2015 World Sinophone Drama Competition. She is alumni of EST/Youngblood and NYTW’s Emerging Artist Fellowship, and a member of Ma-Yi Writers Lab and Royal Court Theatre’s International Playwrights Programme. Her work has been produced in various languages in Asia, Europe, Americas and Australia. Recent productions: A Deal (Chippen St Theatre, Australia; Urban Stages, NYC), I Am a Moon (National Performing Arts Centre of China), Holy Crab! (Círculo de Tiza, Mexico), and Apene i Himalaya (Hålogaland Teater, Norway).
Friday 25 October 2.30pm
Golden Shield by Anchuli Felicia King
Directed by Ng Choon Ping
Told through interweaving storylines from across the globe, this urgent legal drama explores the creation of China’s epic firewall. Tenacious lawyer Julie Chen brings her sister Eva on board as a translator in a risky legal battle with international ramifications. Leading a class action to expose an American tech giant’s involvement with the Chinese government’s internet firewall, they must put their differences aside to confront large-scale censorship, corporate greed and their own complicated past. Golden Shield was premiered in September by Melbourne Theatre Company.
Anchuli Felicia King is a playwright and multidisciplinary artist of Thai-Australian descent. Her plays have been produced by the Royal Court Theatre, Studio Theatre (Washington D.C.), American Shakespeare Center (Staunton), Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, National Theatre of Parramatta and Belvoir Theatre (Sydney). In the spring, her play White Pearl had its world premiere at the Royal Court Theatre.
Loved the show? Wanna see more?
This show has now passed, but we have a full festival programme of comedy, theatre and cabaret throughout the year. Check out what's on now to find more great shows coming up.