<aside> đ An experimental theatre going through a journey with the audiences to discover the bitterness and sweetness of being migrant artists, and building allyship with them.
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Percussionist/multidisciplinary artist Angela Wai Nok Hui, and contemporary art duo Ghost and John met each other in 2019, when their home, Hong Kong, was undergoing social movements fighting for freedom and social justice.
As migrant activist artists, they shared the same bitter experiences in difficult times. They feared to unpack the experience on our own. They experienced a lot of âbitter movesâ along the journey of being migrants, artists and activists. As strangers in a strange land, they strived to build connections. Fortunately, they found each other. They supported each other through artistic collaborations. Friendships, gratitude, appreciation, compassion, kindness, love, etc. They found these âsweet truthsâ along the journey.
They wanted to create a safe and fun space to share their experiences and connect with more people who have similar experiences. Along their creative journeys, they found visual artist Jeffrey Choy, theatre maker Bonnie Chan and curator Sandra Lam. Together, they found âHidden Keileonâ - an art collective working with queer and migrant people to imagine futures of justice and freedom for all. They transformed theatre space into a playground using their creativity and imagination. They hope to tour their bitterness and sweetness to more places and connect with more people through this children show for adults.
The project was supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and shortlisted for the 2023 Untapped Award.
Venue support: Streatham Space Project (London), The Old Fire Station (Oxford) Rehearsal space support: ICA London, Centre 151, Rich Mix, Chisenhale Dance Space & Papergang Theatre
Production team includes: Concept and performance: Angela Wai Nok Hui, Ghost and John Projection visuals and design: Jeffrey Choy Producer: Eve Veglio-HĂźner Curator: Sandra Lam Dramaturg: Bonnie Chan Dramatherapist: Yu-Hsuan Lin Audio Description: Shivaangee Agrawal BSL Interpretation: Jemima Hoadley Singer-songwriter: Lucid Fuzzy Photographer: Jane Lam Videographer: Michael Mui
Through partnerships with the Old Fire Station and Streatham Space Project, âBitter Moves Sweet Truthsâ received over 200 audience members over the five shows in London and Oxford and 30 participants who contributed to the creative process of the final performance via the community workshops. We also reached out to 13,900 online audiences through trailer, images and video clips shared via social media, websites and mailing lists. We reached out to diaspora artists and multi-generational community members, migrants, political refugees, activists, freelance artists, Cantonese speakers, D/deaf people and BSL users.
âWe really enjoyed working with Ghost, John & Angela on âBitter Moves Sweet Truthsâ. The piece was stimulating, had a lovely way of mocking its own seriousness and had great visuals and sound which supported the content brilliantly.â - Andy McKeane, Former Artistic Director of Streatham Space Project
âThe visual imagery was stunning. It was a unique theatrical experience and opened up new ways of working both theatrically and digitally. I am impressed by the imagination and skills that create the unique concept for this and other pieces by the artists.â - Rosemary Richards, Festival Director of Bloomsbury Festival
âThe artists also did a marvellous job bringing their acts to different corners of the theatre. This process created breathing space for me and prompted me to leave the thoughts in my head for a second and enjoy the show in the meantime.â - An audience member of the 2022 Oxford edition