Hand Made in China: Moons, Migration and Messages

Chinese theatre company Hua Dan, an NGO based in Hong Kong, has teamed up with Tinderbox Project and Alchemy Arts to transfer a project first presented by the Beijing Community Rickshaw Gallery to Edinburgh. Fortunately, too many cooks haven’t spoiled anything about this gorgeous ten-minute mobile installation, which all takes place in the confines of Summerhall’s courtyard.

Performers Dong Fen and Jin Lian welcome us with herbal tea before asking us to choose one object from a basket of five. We are then driven in a rickshaw, which is a replica of ones frequently used as means of employment across poor regions in China, to the rear of the courtyard. Joined by a second performer, we are told a short story relating to the object we selected.

Only big enough for two audience members at a time (or three if you can squeeze into the back of the rickshaw), this delicate and sweet-natured performance throws cultures together in a very personal and emotive way. One object from the basket, a Chinese rail ticket, reveals a story about a young woman who seeks to liberate herself from poverty by heading to Shanghai in search of a job. Overcrowding and under-pay await her, but the promise of a better life outweighs her reluctance to leave the village.

With numerous videos about Hua Dan’s work in China all available to watch, as well as enlightening discussions, this is both a perfect example of what the Fringe is capable of and also demonstrates that the origins of a project can be as powerful to learn about as the performance itself.