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THE CHINESE LADY

  • Studio 180 Theatre and fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company in association with Crow’s Theatre
  • Lloyd Suh
  • Marjorie Chan
  • May 2 - May 21, 2023
  • $45-$65
  • 90 minutes, no intermission
  • Studio Theatre
Archived
  • Details

    “It is a beautiful thing to look at something long enough to really understand it. But it is so much more beautiful to be looked at long enough to be understood.”

    The Chinese Lady, Lloyd Suh

     

    Studio 180 Theatre and fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company, in association with Crow's Theatre, present the Canadian premiere of Lloyd Suh's award-winning THE CHINESE LADY.

    Afong Moy is 14 years old when she is brought to the United States from Guangzhou in 1834. Purportedly the first Chinese woman to set foot on U.S. soil, she has been put on display for the American public as “The Chinese Lady.”

    As the decades wear on, her celebrated sideshow comes to define and challenge her very sense of identity. Alternatingly dark, poetic, and whimsical, the play is a searing portrait of Western culture seen through the eyes of a young Chinese woman.

    Playwright Lloyd Suh’s previous work include Charles Francis Chan Jr.'s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery, American Hwangap, The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! and Jesus in India. He was a 2020 recipient of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship.

    Director Marjorie Chan is an award-winning, interdisciplinary artist, Artistic Director of Theatre Passe Muraille, and Governor General’s Literary Award in Drama nominee for China Doll, her playwriting debut.


    CONTENT WARNING
    This play touches on mature themes of racism and trauma that may be challenging for some audiences including, the demonstration and mentions of historical anti-Asian racism; mentions of historical anti-Asian mass violence; and suggestions of non-consensual touch.

    If you have questions about the content please contact Studio 180 Theatre Director of Youth & Community Engagement Jessica Greenberg at jessica@studio180theatre.com.
     

    MEDIA COVERAGE
    Listen to a radio interview with Rosie Simon–https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-82-here-and-now-toronto/clip/15981322-theatre-ticket-the-chinese-lady; read an interview with John Ng 伍健琪–ourtheatrevoice.com/items/john-ng; and check-out this Q&A with director Marjorie Chan 陳以珏–https://torontoguardian.com/2023/04/afong-moys-the-chinese-lady-comes-to-toronto/.
     
     
    Click here to download the house programme:
     
     
    For more information about Studio 180 Theatre please visit: studio180theatre.com.

    For more information about fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company please visit: fu-gen.org.

    Reduced ticket prices are available for Arts Workers and Students and Under 30, with a promo code. You will be required to provide proof of eligibility when you pick up your tickets.
     
    Please email boxoffice@crowstheatre.com or call 647.341.7390 ext. 1010 for details.
     
  • The Team

    CAST

    • Rosie Simon - Afong Moy
    • John Ng 伍健琪 - Atung

    CREATIVE

    • Lloyd Suh - Playwright
    • Marjorie Chan 陳以珏 - Director
    • Kimberly Purtell - Lighting Designer
    • Echo Zhou 周芷會 - Set Designer
    • Jung-Hye Kim - Costume Designer
    • Gloria Mok 莫嘉詠 - Sound Designer
    • Kai-Yueh Chen 陳楷岳 - Stage Manager
    • Charissa Wilcox - Production Manager
    • 郝邦宇 Steven Hao - Assistant Director