Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Red Snow Collective is proud to present the world premiere of Comfort, written by Canadian playwright and performer Diana Tso (Red Snow), and directed by William Yong (Zata Omm). Comfort, a poetic yet disturbing drama that features live music, innovative staging, and stylized movement, will be presented at the Aki Studio Theatre from November 24 – December 10, 2016.
Comfort is the love story of two Chinese youth; a fisherman, Ping Yang, and the daughter of an esteemed silk merchant, Dan Feng, who find love and friendship in their shared passion for opera, against the backdrop of World War II. As the war rages on, their city of Nanjing is captured and occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army, setting off the Nanjing Massacre where hundreds of thousands of citizens were brutally murdered. The lovers become separated when Dan Feng is captured and imprisoned in a comfort house in Shanghai.
Over 200,000 girls and women from across Asia were forced into systemic military sexual slavery by the Japanese Army for the duration of the war, and were referred to as comfort women. Comfort explores the meaning behind “comfort” in wartime and celebrates the resilience of women in the midst of unimaginable circumstances.
The cast features Vania Chan (The Lesson of Da Ji, Toronto Masque Theatre); Phoebe Hu (The Other Side of the World, Harley Dog Productions); Jen Hum (Xing Dance Theatre); Vicki Kim (The Auction, CBC); Oliver Koomsatira (Banana Boys, Factory); Timothy Ng (Shanghai Lil, Pan Asian Repertory Theatre); and Jeff Yung (Banana Boys, fu-GEN).
Comfort features an original score by Constantine Caravassilis performed live by Patty Chan (erhu), Cathy Nosaty (accordion and piano), and Brandon Miguel Valdivia (percussion).
The Rape of Nanjing and many atrocities of WWII history in Asia have not been allowed catharsis. There has been no official apology or compensation for the victims, and the Japanese government continues to deny their responsibility for this crime against humanity. Few comfort women have survived and even less have had the courage to share their story and begin the healing process. Comfort honours their voices and proves the power of art to heal and find change.
Red Snow Collective presents
Comfort
Written by Diana Tso • Directed by William Yong
November 24 – December 10, 2016
Opening Night: Saturday, November 26 @ 8pm
Aki Studio Theatre, Native Earth Performing Arts
585 Dundas Street East (Daniel’s Spectrum), Toronto, ON
Starring Vania Chan, Phoebe Hu, Jen Hum, Vicki Kim,
Oliver Koomsatira, Timothy Ng, Jeff Yung
Music by Constantine Caravassilis
Live Musical Accompaniment by Patty Chan, Cathy Nosaty, Brandon Miguel Valdivia
Scenic Design by William Yong • Lighting Design by Rebecca Picherack
Costume Design Erika Chong
Tuesday – Saturdays @ 8pm • Saturday Matinees @ 2pm
Preview November 24 @ 8pm • Gala Performance November 25 @ 8pm
Please see www.nativeearth.ca/comfort for a complete schedule.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
Tickets range from $15 - $28 ($48 – Gala Performance) • Pay-What-You-Can Tuesdays
Tickets can be purchased online at nativeearth.ca/boxoffice, by phone at 416-531-1402,
or in-person at Toronto Centre for the Arts’ Box Office, 5040 Yonge Street
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Photo: Jen Hum, Vicki Kim, Vania Chan, and Phoebe Hu. ©2016 Dahlia Katz.
2016-10-03
Toronto: Red Snow Collective presents "Comfort" by Diana Tso November 24-December 10