Orientation
Winner of the hackman cup - most original production of 2018
Q Theatre 2018, winner most original production
winner of the Asian Ink workshop 2017
shortlisted for the adam play award
presented as part of Q matchbox
A hot mess of sexual stereotypes, no Asian man is left un-turned in Mei’s quest to root herself back to her roots. When a shock event leaves her questioning everything about love, Chinese-Pakeha Mei dives ferociously back into the dating game. A film star from Singapore, an Indian Taika Waititi and the Asian answer to Channing Tatum lift the sheets on how sex and race collide in little old New Zealand, where Asianess is both fetishized and feared.
An ensemble of the sexiest storytellers from the Asian diaspora play out your wildest dreams and cringiest tropes as Mei learns that love is simple, but race is not.
Written & directed by Chye-Ling Huang
Produced by Kelly Gilbride with Nahyeon Lee
Lighting: Ruby Reihana-Wilson
Production & costume Design: Micheal McCabe
Sound design: Emi Pogoni
Poster design: Lindsay Yee
Starring
Natasha Daniel
Kyle Chuen
Marwin Silerio
Eugene Yao
Mayen Mehta
Photography: Nahyeon Lee
Reviews
“...a coming-of-age for Asian theatre. Bluntly sexy, chock-full of contemporary name-drops and pop-culture references, it's both a bold assertion of Asian women as sex sirens and a renunciation. It's a raw, uncomfortable and ultimately moving work showcasing talents who deserve more time on our stages."
“It is adventurous and wild...Orientation is a hugely significant work: sexy, smart, and not putting up with your shit."
“Orientation is not just a look at what exactly it means to be Asian in New Zealand, but at the same time also delves deeply into Asian sexuality. It’s confronting, to say the least, but it’s one which has been a long time coming.”
“All in all Orientation packs a punch. It is an edgy and thought-provoking theatre piece that uses one woman’s mission to find her place as the beacon that casts a light on Asian sexuality and the racial undercurrents that exists in this country.”
SUPPORTED by CREATIVE NEW ZEALAND, FOUNDATION NORTH,
UNITEC AND THE CHINESE POLL TAX HERITAGE TRUST FUND.