Photo Flash: Chinese Classic DIAOCHAN: RISE OF THE COURTESAN Comes to the West End

An epic tale of lust, jealousy and revenge, DIAOCHAN: THE RISE OF THE COURTESAN finishes its UK tour with a three-week run at the Arts Theatre in the West End this May. The production comes courtesy of British East Asian theatre company Red Dragonfly. Ross Ericson has adapted for the stage The Romance of the Three Kingdoms - one of China's oldest tales, and often referred to as a Chinese Macbeth.

Red Dragonfly prides itself on not marring their work with faux Chinese accents, explains artistic director Michelle Yim. "As British East Asians, we want to bring classic tales from our heritage to the British stage in a style that is familiar to European audiences, but in a way that retains the authenticity and spirit of the original story. In doing so we hope to show that, as actors, can play more than just oppressed migrants, takeaway owners and cockle-pickers and that we have some great stories to tell - stories that can be funny, moving and entertaining."

In the story, the Empire is in turmoil and the tyrant DongZhuo, with the great warrior LuBu at his side, is systematically putting to the sword all those who oppose him. The minister WangYun fears for the lives of his family, but when both DongZhuo and LuBu show a lustful interest in DiaoChan - a singing girl of WangYun's household - she comes up with a plan that could solve both their problems: a plan that would see DongZhuo fall and see her rise to the ranks of the nobility. The cast includes Siu-See Hung, Arthur Lee, Benjamin Lok, Angelo Paragoso, Andrew Wong and Michelle Yim.

Diaochan: The Rise of the Courtesan is at the Arts Theatre May 9-28, and is part of Red Dragonfly's three-year programme bringing classic and modern stories from the East to the British and European stage. For tickets and more information, visit www.artstheatrewestend.co.uk

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