VICTORIA, B.C. – The Canadian College of Performing Arts’ Studio Ensemble kicks off the College’s 2021/2022 season October 21 with a production of Stan Lai’s Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land, directed by Derek Chan.
Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land is a comedy about two theatre groups that have been mistakenly double booked in the same rehearsal space. One is preparing a romantic drama, Secret Love, and the other a riotous comedy, Peach Blossom Land. The two groups discover how to coexist while rehearsing such different plays.
Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land is an iconic play in contemporary Chinese theatre and has been performed over 10,000 times worldwide in the past 30 years. The playwright, Stan Lai (Lai Sheng-chuan), is one of the most notable and celebrated in the Chinese-speaking world.
The Studio Ensemble is thrilled to be directed by award winning playwright, director, performer, translator, and producer, Derek Chan. Chan grew up in colonial Hong Kong, studied in Norway, and currently lives in Vancouver. In 2010 he co-founded rice and beans theatre with Pedro Chamale. His most recent work includes yellow objects, a show about the ongoing pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
Chan shares the students’ excitement. “This play that I have heard about so many times, as a child, as a teen, and now again, as an adult — I am fascinated by the parallel worlds cohabiting the same theatre-space inside the play. The oscillation, tension, and cacophony that arises from the two plays within — crying out to each other through two different times. I look forward to exploring with you all what that means, within our context, where we are, and with who we are. At this time and on this land, together“, he says.
“In addition to timely themes that will resonate, Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land is a hilarious, almost slapstick, comedy with a unique play structure audiences will find refreshing and really enjoy”, adds Managing Artistic Director Caleb Marshall.
CCPA Studio Ensemble members get the chance to take on production roles for each performance, in addition to onstage roles. Every aspect of the production is designed by ensemble members including set, costumes, and lighting. The performance includes original musical compositions from the CCPA sound design team.
CCPA is committed to providing a safe experience for students, staff, and audience members and all COVID-19 protocols are followed. All performances are presented in the CCPA Performance Hall and masks, valid identification, and proof of vaccination are required for entry. Productions are also livestreamed for those who prefer to watch in the comfort of their own home.
Content Advisory: Sexually explicit content, strong language, violence, alcohol, haze.
What: Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land
Who: The Canadian College of Performing Arts’ Studio Ensemble
When: October 21 at 7:30pm, October 22 at 7:30pm, October 23 at 6:30pm, October 24 at 2:00pm. A relaxed performance is offered on Oct 23 at 12:30pm.
Where: CCPA Performance Hall, 1701 Elgin Rd., Victoria, and livestreamed online with the purchase of a ‘livestream’ ticket.
Tickets:
In-person
Adult $29
Senior $25
Student/Artist $18
Livestream
Household $34
Single $20
Student/Artist $12
MEDIA CONTACT
Caleb Marshall
Managing Artistic Director
director@ccpacanada.com
250 595 9970