LemonSoap productions are bringing emerging playwright Choy-Ping Ní Chléirigh-Ng's new play The Madonna Of Asia to Dublin's New Theatre this April - inspired by the golden age of Hong Kong cinema, it weaves together live performance, projection and multilingual storytelling to trace the story of on woman's journey from East to West, icon to exile - and back to herself.
Choy-Ping introduces The Madonna Of Asia below.
The Madonna Of Asia was first used to describe Anita Mui, a brilliant singer and actress from Hong Kong. It's also a phrase that captures a sense of tension between the East and West - a tension that is very palpable in my everyday life. Last year, I began imagining a theatre piece following an Asian Madonna now retired in Ireland, drawing on Anita and others from Hong Kong's golden age of pop culture.
Initially I began making theatre to create representation for myself and Asian people that I wasn't seeing in Ireland. The Madonna Of Asia is the fullest expression of this in my work so far. It brings together collaborators hailing from Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, China and Japan alongside Irish artists, to create something that reflects a more true and expansive reality than the one often depicted. It’s also important to me to champion new talent. I’m delighted that two exciting actors will make their debuts in this show: Kaai and Jun-Ling Clarke-Ng.
For me, the story isn't really about fame, but instead exile, myth and the desire to disappear.
I usually work by casting before writing the script. I like to shape the material to fit an actor's instincts, skills and presence. Some years ago, I met Mai Ishikawa, who plays the central character Rin. I greatly admired her as a writer and performer. We really clicked. When I began thinking about the piece in summer, I reached out to her with a very vague idea and thankfully, she was totally on board. We met and spoke, and then I started writing.
The story follows a singer and actor called Rin Asari, who was on the cusp of global fame before she stepped out of the public eye. Rin resurfaces years later, living quietly in Dublin. She strikes up an unlikely friendship with Tara, a woman in Hong Kong, played by the brilliant Clare Barrett. Rin's world is turned upside down when she receives an unexpected offer to return to the screen.
For me, the story isn’t really about fame, but instead exile, myth and the desire to disappear. Design is central to how I think about the story as I’m responsible for the set, costume and video, alongside writing and directing. I’ve long been fascinated by Hong Kong cinema and that world informs the visuals. With video projection onto the floor throughout, it's lush, stylized and surreal. I'm very fortunate to work with an exceptional team to bring this vibrant world to life, where every element works in tandem.
The play features English, Japanese and Cantonese. I love drawing on the textures these open up. Language can also help explore moments in a character's life between different contexts. I think of filmmaker Bong Joon Ho saying "Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films." I hope this piece invites audiences to experience storytelling through these beautiful languages.
The Madonna Of Asia will be a completely unique experience: visually striking, unexpected and moving. The intimacy of The New Theatre will be perfect for catching every reaction and detail no matter which seat you have. Whether you’re a Hong Kong film fan, a pop culture connoisseur or seek cutting-edge theatre, this will be a night you won’t forget. I can’t wait to share it with you.
The Madonna Of Asia is at The New Theatre, Dublin from 28th April - 2nd May - find out more here
