K’Now Theatre – Norman Yeung’s Pu-Erh

Reviewed by Paula Citron

In the last few years, Asian-based theatre has come into its own. Norman Yeung’s Pu-Erh is the latest from a young Chinese playwright. Any ethnic can relate to the story.

The play begins with son Raymond about to leave East Vancouver for New York to try his luck at acting. The story follows two years later, and then three years later. Relationships remain stormy throughout.

Yeung has clearly been inspired by Latin American magic realism. The play breaks language barriers and time constraints at will. On the other hand, Yeung has written a complex play that sympathetically presents a new world son and his old world parents. Jeff Yung as Raymond and Janet Lo and John Ng as his parents give wonderful performances.

Kudos to director Keira Loughran for clearly delineating the characters and their relationships.

Pu-Erh has finished its run at Theatre Passe Muraille, and now moves to the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, May 21 and 22.

Pu-Erh
K’Now Theatre
Written by Norman Yeung
Directed by Keira Loughran
Starring John Ng, Janet Lo and Jeff Yung
Theatre Passe Muraille, May 6 to 15, 2010
Richmond Hill Centre, May 21 and 22, 2010