Proudly Asian Theatre (PAT) presents Call of the Sparrows

NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO FOLLOW THE RULES

Media Release. Auckland, September 2016. Proudly Asian Theatre (PAT) presents Call of the Sparrows – a stunning stage piece that blends shadow play, masks and audience interaction this October 11-16 at the Herald Theatre in Auckland.
Based on intimate family stories uncovered by Chinese-Pakeha writer Chye-Ling Huang and Filipino-born director James Roque, Call of the Sparrows draws audiences into the surreal world of The Village where old world and new world values, identities and passions collide.

Influenced by the mood, style and architecture of Chinese and South-East Asian cultures, Call of the Sparrows is Proudly Asian Theatre’s debut season of an original stage production that came to life as a ten minute entry in 2015 at Short+Sweet Auckland where the company won the Best Independent Company Award.
Hilarious, gruesome and other-worldly, these personal stories are all presented as true. But passed so far down the generations, the line between reality and magic begins to blur, especially when viewed through the lens and lives of modern-day Asian New Zealanders.

In the tiny mountain community of The Village, gossip is the currency and tradition is everything. As an outsider, Little Sparrow, arrives to find a world driven by superstition and dark histories.

To survive crooked peddlers, invisible spirits and a mother-in-law with a hidden agenda, she’s got to learn to fly with the flock. Caught in the middle of an uprising, Little Sparrow is forced to make a choice that alters the course of her destiny and the lives of others.

Featuring in Call of the Sparrows is an energetic cast of talented Asian actors all under 30s: Chye-Ling Huang (The Mooncake and the Kūmara; Lantern); Alice Canton (WHITE/OTHER); Amanda Grace Leo (Hippolytus Veiled; The Tempest); Ravi Gurunathan (A Confrontation - Stir Fried); Sarah Nessia (Antony & Cleopatra); Nikita Tu-Bryant (Solo album - (Before, and After) Joshua).

Call of the Sparrows is presented by Proudly Asian Theatre in association with The Oryza Foundation and Auckland Live. The season is proudly supported by Creative New Zealand, Foundation North, Unitec and Whau Local Board.

Call of the Sparrows by Chye-Ling Huang
11-16 October 2016 (11 Oct - Preview Night / 12-16 October - Season)
Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland
Tickets: $15-$25. Service fees apply. Student rate available.
ON SALE NOW at: www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/call-of-the-sparrows

CHYE-LING HUANG (Writer, Call of the Sparrows & PAT Co-Founder)

Chye-Ling Huang is an actor, writer and Performing and Screen Arts graduate of Unitec. Her original play Black Tree Bridge has been selected for ongoing development by Silo Theatre and for RAW (Auckland Arts Festival 2017). Chye-Ling has also acted in The Mooncake and the Kumara (Auckland Arts Festival 2015) and visual theatre and puppetry shows with the People Who Play with Theatre. She has recently completed a seven week internship in Singapore with theatre company, The Finger Players. Chye-Ling has a mixed ethnic background (Chinese Malaysian and Pakeha).

JAMES ROQUE (Director, Call of the Sparrows & PAT Co-Founder)

A graduate of Unitec's Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts programme, James Roque is a director, writer and actor. His theatre credits include Fractious Tash's acclaimed show Titus and the lead role of Sidu in Indian Ink Theatre Company's Kiss the Fish. Outside of theatre, James is one of New Zealand's fastest rising stand-up comedians. His television writing and performance credits include TV3's 7 Days and Jono and Ben. He is also one third of the sketch group Frickin Dangerous Bro.

PROUDLY ASIAN THEATRE

Proudly Asian Theatre (an evolution of Pretty Asian Theatre) is an exciting new company dedicated to supporting Asian artists to create theatre in New Zealand. Past awards include Best Director (James Roque), Best Actress (Amanda Grace Leo), the Wallace Arts Trust Emerging Artist and Best Independent Theatre Company at Short + Sweet 2015. www.proudlyasiantheatre.com

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