Have you entered our A Night on the (China)Town giveaway yet? Win two tickets to the Seven Tyrants Theatre's production of The China Tea Deal 3 at the Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden as well as some sweet Sun Yat swag and dinner (an $80 gift certificate!) to Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie. The contest ends at 5:00 pm today and you can enter here. Keep on top of fun free stuff by following @VIAGiveaways!
I had a chance to talk with the garden's Director of Community Development, Donna, as well as China Tea Deal producers Dan and David who also perform in this “outdoor, roving historical fairytale.” Despite this fairytale taking place in a historically accurate space like the garden, I was assured that there are no Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon gravity-defying acrobatics (maybe next year).
The China Tea Deal saga takes place in the garden, an authentic reproduction of a 15th century Ming dynasty home. Completed in 1986, the garden was a collaborative construction between Canadians and 52 master craftsmen from the province of Suzhou, China. Using traditional materials and techniques, the venue is a magical space featuring distinct architectural details (intricate halls and walkways are constructed with precise joinery and without the use of nails, screws or glue) amid a beautifully balanced garden. Donna noted that she "has seen the play and I have to say it really did create a new experience of the space for me – and I have worked here for a while! It tied everything about the garden in, and I felt like I was discovering a whole new place."
As part of the audience, you are a part of the East India Company on a journey to China in the early 18th century and must help Captain Woodfellow navigate all of the forces at play…
Is this a production for all ages?
This is a family friendly, all ages production and you don't need to have seen the previous two installments to enjoy this one.
We have a lot of material for adults – it’s a great exposé of history and philosophy of different events going on at that time. That being said we have incorporated much as possible to make it a great experience for all ages – everything from swashbuckling to live, traditional Chinese music and fan dancing. And of course, there is tea! The audience gets involved and helps decide upon a “choose your own adventure”-type swing ending for the play, all in one of Vancouver’s most beautiful spaces.
What’s it like to put on a play in an outdoor venue in the summertime in Vancouver?
It would have to be the space itself, the garden, is absolutely beautiful. I always enjoy coming in here and find it to be very calming, it’s a serene environment. Coming to the garden on your own during the day is beautiful enough, but having the opportunity to come here and participate in live theatre is a one-of-a-kind experience.
That’s something that we want to share with as many people as we can this summer. You can come here and literally have some magic going on around you; in my opinion it adds to the beauty of the space. It completes the vision of being in a Man Chu scholar’s private home.
The audience moves with the play around the garden. What kind of theatrical experience can they expect?
The way the garden is constructed – it takes you on a complete cycle, and that really helps us as writers. We have tried to create the play to reflect that. There’s a tremendous diversity of experience as an audience member – different characters in different scenes, different movement and musical aspects that are woven throughout – the overall synergy of bringing these elements together with the space creates a complete experience.
The Official Word:
The China Tea Deal 3 runs Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 pm until August 29, 2010.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall St
Vancouver
Tickets are $12 - $22.
Call 604-662-3207 ext 0.
