Review: FIGHTS & DELIGHTS at Kennedy Theatre

Showcasing the vibrancy of traditional Chinese theatre, these contrasting plays celebrate the chou - or comic - character, an irrepressible force of comedy who continually reveals the laughter in life. Filled with convoluted acrobatic contortions, mistaken identities, adorable lovers, and exhilarating battles, this celebration of "the clown" will appeal to audiences of all ages.

The University of Hawai'i at M?noa's Department of Theatre + Dance is proud to present Fights & Delights: Three Chinese Comedies, co-directed by Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak and Mark Branner. Celebrating the chou-or comic-character, the three plays filled with acrobatic contortions, mistaken identities, adorable lovers, and exhilarating battles are sure to entertain audiences of all ages. This production highlights the vibrancy of traditional Chinese theatre and opens on the Kennedy Theatre Mainstage February 16-Chinese New Year 2018.

The three Chinese comedies featured in Fights & Delights are: the chuanju; "Pi Jin Rolls the Lamp," and the two jingju; "Treasure in the Chest" and "Where Three Roads Meet."

"Treasure in the Chest" tells the story of a young woman whose mother and brother leave home to arrange a marriage for her. While they are gone, a young scholar arrives and begs her to save him from two officers hot on his trail. She rescues him by hiding him in her family's clothes chest, but her brother and mother soon return and are scandalized to find her alone in the house with a strange young man. Once they learn just who the young man really is, however, it becomes possible to arrange a marriage much closer to home.

"Pi Jin Rolls the Lamp" recounts the tale of a wife punishing her husband for his gambling problem. The wife, with the help of her daughter, compels her husband to perform spectacular acrobatics while balancing an oil lamp on his head.

"Where Three Roads Meet" relates a story about the famous Chinese general, Jiao Zan, in which he has killed a traitor and is travelling into exile under armed guard. It features a comic innkeeper and his clever wife, two comedic officers, and a young warrior determined to protect Jiao Zan. Mistaken identities lead to a virtuoso fight in the dark between the innkeeper and the young warrior, and all is resolved in the end by Jiao Zan himself.

The shows final shows are
February 23, 24, 25, 2018
FRI/SAT 7:30pm & SUN 2:00pm

With a free pre-show chat: Saturday, February 24th at 6:45pm

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