|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||
 |
|
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
What if you discovered you had a secret history? One day, an ancient object leads Emma to a Grandmother she never knew she had. Like a modern-day Alice in Wonderland, Emma is transported into another world. Through her Grandmother's tales, she finds herself in Ancient China discovering intriguing artefacts, opinionated dragons and life in the Imperial Court. Will knowing she is part of the royal lineage of the Imperial Court change Emma? William Yang's play interweaves stories of a young Australian girl trying to find her way through her dual cultural identities with ancient Chinese folklore. Magically transported back to the time of her ancestors in the Qing Dynasty Emma watches her Great Grandmother's trials in the Imperial Court and her flight from danger as the last dynasty falls in 1912. She then gains insight into her family's life in Communist China, their migration to Australia in the 1960's and the perplexing world of Vegemite and bellicose shopkeepers that this country represented to her Grandmother at the time. Interwoven with the stories of Emma's family are Chinese myths with beautifully animated dragons and beings from other worlds forming part of the rich history that Emma inherits through her meeting with her Grandmother. The production is inspired by works in the Asian Collection and Ah Xian's sculptures in the Contemporary Australian collection. The multi-media component of Emma's Dynasty features five projectors using projections onto the set and performer's bodies animating traditional images of landscapes, waterfalls and travelling pilgrims as well as mythical dragons and images of China and contemporary Australia. Jigsaw Theatre Company Jigsaw Theatre Company is Canberra's professional theatre company for young audiences with more than thirty years history creating work that stirs the imagination. Drawing on the creative talents of artists from around Australia, Jigsaw crosses artform boundaries and creates bold theatre for audiences aged 4 to 18 years. Jigsaw are a touring company who regularly performs across the country in major performing arts venues (such as the Sydney Opera House and the Victorian Arts Centre). They also perform in museums, schools, sporting stadiums and zoos - anywhere that presents creative possibilities and is accessible to the broad spectrum of people that make up their youth and family audiences. Jigsaw's connection with young audiences is enhanced by an education program. Some shows are designed specifically for touring to schools, and some productions are designed to be experienced in a theatre. They cater for students and the professional development of arts educators through a workshop program, Teacher Resource Kits, forums and other programs that help teachers link their students' arts experiences to learning across the curriculum. Memorable theatre for children and young people stirs their imagination and creates a life-long passion for the arts. Central to this for Jigsaw Theatre Company is storytelling of the highest quality, engaging characters and imaginative worlds for young people to enter. Jigsaw's major supporter is the ACT Government through artsACT and the ACT Department of Education and Training whose ongoing commitment enables them to create their work. Emma's Dynasty was made possible by additional funding from the Australia Council, the Australian Governments arts funding and advisory body.
Brenna Hobson
|
|
(2).jpg)
