Semi-autobiographical gig theatre about race and identity from Daniel York Loh
Daniel York Loh’s psychedelic, semi-autobiographical The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience is premiering at Soho Theatre this June. This punk, rock and rap riff on what path you choose, which identity politics you embrace, or whether it’s easier to be a butterfly dreaming of being ‘Chinese’ is an original piece of gig theatre exploring race politics, mental health and personal testimony.
Based on Daniel’s own experiences, it challenges the British Chinese stereotype of ‘model minority’; the quiet, high-achieving, polite and invisible individual. Through a blend of disruptive music, multimedia and a range of performance forms, Daniel and collaborator An-Ting 安婷 take us on a hilarious but touching journey through his struggles with drug addiction and journey into recovery, art and ‘activism’.
Semi-autobiographical, free-form and explosive, Daniel York Loh’s work is an exploration of race and identity politics, addiction, mental health, as well as personal and social history. It incorporates aspects of ancient Chinese philosophy as well as music written by An-Ting 安婷 and performed live by the cast, with an astonishing range of genres including punk, pop, psychedelia, electronica rap, and acid rock.
Daniel York Loh comments, The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience is a heavily mythologised and dreamy version of real events with the names changed to protect the guilty. Delving into the challenges of individuality outside both the mainstream and modern identity 2 tribes, blending various styles and performance forms, the play challenges conventional notions of ‘Chinese culture', 'community' and the diversity cliches of modern Britain. Shot through with social history, it’s a rock n’ roll state-of-the-nation play for our times.
The Dao of Unrepresentative British Chinese Experience: 19th June – 13th July 2024
Venue: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London, W1D 3NE
Tickets: Soho Theatre