performance+
MUST I CRY
“Here I am, searching in a foreign place, for someone I no longer remember.”
'At that time, I told myself not to cry, and so I didn't.'
Critically acclaimed five-star performance from Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, is coming back to Europe this summer!
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Follow a woman’s magical journey in time, as she returns home to search for signs of her late father - transforming a childhood game into a final quest to remember. Inspired by the works of celebrated Hong Kong author XiXi and the poignant story of the last northern white rhinoceros, this visually captivating production tells a story of love and loss intertwined with live music, storytelling and video projections.
Through a blend of poetry and magical realism, Must I Cry depicts a past that is present, delving into our memories amidst an ever-evolving cityscape.
Book Now:
Interviews
Theatre du Pif's Love Letter to Hong Kong (Zozima citymag)
“It’s about how you weigh the loss of memories.”​
- Performed in English
with French surtitles (Avignon)
with Chinese surtitles (London)
Reviews
Five Stars performance from Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024​
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"This show gives a masterful lesson in how to utilise all forms of artistry to create an immersive, cohesive, dreamscape."
“The poetry which inspired this work absolutely comes alive and flourishes on stage – each aspect was crafted to literally be poetry in motion.”
“This is a one-of-a-kind show which I feel has been a criminally underrated pick at the Fringe. Must I Cry shows us that a Fringe show can have perfectly polished and meaningful production aspects despite the confined and stripped back nature of production the Fringe requires. It is a must see.”
North West End UK
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★ ★ ★ ★
ThreeWeeks Edinburgh
“The title ‘Must I Cry’, subtle yet profound, reflects the deep connection between memory, home and love.”
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★ ★ ★ ★
Edinburgh Festival Magazine
“The technical elements complemented the storytelling from Chan flawlessly. On stage we have live music from the talented Lay Chi-Bun who uses a variation of percussion instruments and accordion to create a live accompaniment. This applied with the use of soft sound effects and use of projection creates the most impressive multimedia experience.”
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“This show is an underrated masterpiece and truly highlights the literacy works of Xi Xi, it is an essential watch for those around in these last few festival days.”
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Audience feedback from Hong Kong Show
“An elegant theatrical poem, simple, gentle, pure, and moving.”
“Concise words, concise arrangement. Stirring up huge waves. Directly striking the heart.”
“Poetic, moving and visually stunning piece about memories and loss.”
“"If I hadn't seen this performance, I might regret it for a lifetime."
“This production utilizes a blend of multimedia techniques to deliver a stunning sensory experience. Each scene resonates deeply, allowing me to profoundly understand the pain and longing that comes with the loss of a loved one." Tim Lam, Jewellery Designer
“A beautiful poetic, thought-provoking performance” Candice Moore, Director/ Performer
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Performance
Coming Soon followed by Past Highlights
TOUR 2025
19-26/7/2025
Avignon, France
Atypik Theatre . Salle 1
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31/7-2/8/2025
London, UK
Pleasance London
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6-9/8/2025
Cork, Ireland
Cork Arts Theatre
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17-19/1/2025
Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Studio Theatre
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15/12/2024
Play reading in Cantonese
Hong Kong Cultural Centre, GR3
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19-25/8/2024 8:45pm
Venue 152
Paradise in Augustines
- The Sanctuary
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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Team
Director/ Devisor/ Performer
Bonni Chan
Devisor/Text/ Video Designer
Pun Tsz Wai
Literary Advisor+
Liam Hurley
Musician/ Composer
Lau Chi-Bun
Stage Designer
Sylvia Chan
Costume Designer
Cheng Man Wing
Lighting Designer
Lau Ming Hang
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​+Hong Kong performance
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Director’s Note (Tour 2025)
Join us as landscapes meet…
in this present moment, 當下 (dong haa)
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Yet, when these words are uttered,
當下 the moment has already passed,
disappeared.
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“Must I Cry” reflects a moment in time,
encapsulating the past, present and future.
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Join us on a journey through a landscape caught between 當and 下.
An impermanent rock,
where buildings stack upon buildings,
and a father, his daughter and a white rhino,
find themselves on the verge of loss.
Fragments of words,
lights,
shapes and forms have always been here to refract the whole.
It is our enormous joy to meet in this city so far away from our own, to share this moment with you all.
Thank you.
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