EdFringe Talk: A Funeral for My Friend Who Is Still Alive

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“I realize bulling itself is not the most horrifying, but I did not recognize I was suffering, I was in pain.”

WHO: Kasen Tsui

WHAT: “‘Kasen Tsui’s work is not only a performance, but the embodiment of social memory and the spirit of humanity’ (Kuh Fei, the Hong Kong Theatre Libre). This is a brand-new dark comedy about farewell. One evening, Kasen decides to host a funeral in her tiny apartment for her long-lost friend who is still very much alive. So, she prepares a eulogy to celebrate this friend’s life. This theatre play is speaking to those who share the same stories of being forced to leave their homeland, striving for survival, freedom and hope.”

WHERE: theSpace @ Niddry St – Studio (Venue 9) 

WHEN: 10:00 (46 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes, this is my first time to Edinburgh. My mentor Cathy, who is also the producer and director of the show, told me Edfringe is a magical place that you got to showcase who you really are as an artist, and got to meet a lot of people who are open minded with all kinds of idea. This festival is so great that it offers platform for young artist like me to develop new works, and at the same time, a space to connect with artists and producers from all over the world. The whole city is celebrating art which makes it so unique and makes artists feel like home. Cathy had her debut in Edfringe 10 years ago, and now she brought me here to Edfringe as a director and producer. I hope I can do the same to other young artist 10 years later.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Love yourself before you can love someone else. I realize bulling itself is not the most horrifying, but I did not recognize I was suffering, I was in pain. Because I think that’s normal, and I thought compromising is the way to handle, but it is not. To respect myself, is to love myself. And if I want to be able to trust and to love again, I have to know that I am worthy as well.

Tell us about your show.

Cathy and I wrote together, Cathy is the director and producer. We come together, because I shared a story with Cathy about me losing a friend from social movement in Hong Kong. Cathy encouraged me to put a show about my story, how my emotion changes during these few years. She asked me one question, “If you have one last chance, what are you going to say to your friend?” Then we started to create this show. Edfinge will be the world premier of this show, and hopefully we will take this show to Australia and North America after Edfringe.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Please do support other shows in theSpaceUK, they have given us huge support to put a show in Edinburgh. Cathy always said she had the best experience when performing in theSpaceUK and they have so brought so many great shows to Edfringe. I am very interested to see Beehavioural Problems: Something Something Autism the SpaceUK, and Ageless in Dance Base. Also there are also many shows from Hong Kong will be performed in Edfringe like No Dragon No Lion.

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