Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre | Theatre Ronin 20th Anniversary: The Tear Deer

Description

Behind the grand spectacle of Emperor Qianlong's autumn hunt at Mulan, a deer hidden in the forest awaits its fate. Oroqen woman Ayijilun embroiders a Nanchuo (a type of embroidery).

Luo Hua, her son Amutai, blows the Ulian whistle to signal the deer; in Lang Shining's painting, the deer's eyes meet a human's amidst the leaves—who is the hunter? Who is the prey?

Six "friends" gather around a fire to tell stories, dissecting the individuals crushed beneath the grand narrative of history, weaving together Qianlong's lonely dream, Amutai's disillusionment, and the inseparable bond between mother and child.

Xi Xi's "picture storytelling" meets John Berger's "reciprocal viewing"; "Those who know can see, those who do not know cannot see" is not just a line, but a theatrical ritual in which the audience is invited to "learn to see."

A literary theater performance that not only recreates the Qianlong era's prosperity but also forces you to gaze into the cracks of history and question your own place. The deer has never left; it is watching you.

Following the production of *The Elephant is a Fool* by Ronin Theatre, the production continues its romantic intuition, adapting Xi Xi's classic historical novel *The Deer Whistle*, inspired by the Qing Dynasty Western painter Lang Shining's *The Deer Whistle*, written in the 1980s. It is recreated on stage using magical realism: humans and deer become one, completely oblivious, transcending life and death, experiencing a breathtaking and earth-shattering event, returning to nature.

"Xi Xi saw through fame and fortune long ago; her writing doesn't follow the path of pandering or pandering." - Ho Fuk-yan

"Xi Xi's ultimate vision extends beyond Hong Kong and Chinese history, even surpassing world history and entering the realm of natural history." - Tung Kai-cheung

"Yes, we are not afraid. Life is fleeting, what is there to fear?" - Xi Xi, *The Imperial Observatory*

Program subject to change; the final version will be announced.

Ronin Theatre reserves the right to change program content and performers in special circumstances.

Cantonese performance with Chinese and English subtitles.

No admission for children under 12 years of age.

The performance lasts approximately 120 minutes with no intermission.

Original Work: Xi Xi

Director/Screenwriter/Stage Designer: Tan Kongwen Producer: Lin Bizhi

Performers: Tai Chen, Liu Weiyao (Fire), Cai Yunhua, Du Yanshan, Huang Jiajun, Wu Yongxia Costume Design: He Peishan

Lighting Design: Zhang Suyi

Composer/Sound Design: Deng Yiyan

# Purchase 2 or more regular-priced tickets and enjoy a discounted price of $398 per ticket.

*Applicable to seniors aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their caregivers, full-time students, and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.