Chinese Association of Southampton is in partnership with Red Dragonfly Productions to host the Dragonboat Performance Festival at Southampton Guildhall Square from Friday 10/6 to Sunday 12/6. Shows and activities inside our pop-up Rotunda Theatre are free. However, the number of seats inside the Rotunda Theatre is limited. First priority will be given to participants who have booked their tickets using eventbrite.
Friday 10/6/2022: booking for free shows at Eventbrite
- 6pm – Dragon Dance and Dragonboat Dance by Chinese Association of Southampton (CAS)
- 6:15pm – Speeches by VIPs
- 6:30pm – Chinese Gu-Zheng music performance by Wang Jingyi & Joylin Chang
- 6:45pm Cantonese Golden Oldies by Chinese Association of Southampton
- 7pm – Sneak peek of The Ballad of Mulan by Red Dragonfly Productions
- 7:05pm – Line Dancing by Chinese Association of Southampton
Saturday 11/6/2022: booking for free shows at Eventbrite
- 12pm – Dragonboat Dance, Martial Arts Display and Chinese Dances by Chinese Association of Southampton and Wutan Kungfu School: free
- 1:15pm – Cantonese Golden Oldies by Chinese Association of Southampton: free
- 2pm – Chinese musical instruments (Chinese Flute, Gu-Qin & Gu-Zheng) by Chinese Association of Southampton: free
- 3pm – South Asian dance and songs by Art Asia: free
- 3:30pm-4:30pm – Play reading performance of a new play ‘What’s Best for Jada’ by new British-Chinese playwright Alex Blanc at MAST Studios Homegrown Performance. £5 Tickets available here.
- 4:30pm – Fan Dancing as well as Tai Chi and Tai Chi Fan demonstrations by members and friends of Chinese Association of Southampton: free
Sunday 12/6/2022: booking for free shows at Eventbrite
- 12pm – Dragonboat Dance by Chinese Association of Southampton: free
- 12:30pm – Modern musical instruments performance by Kora and Peter Skuce: free
- 1pm – Chinese musical instruments and dances by Chinese Arts Southampton: free
- 1:30pm – Bollywood Beats by Eastleigh and Southampton Asian Community (ESAC): free
- 2pm – Chinese and Indian Dances by Portsmouth Chinese Association and ESAC: free
- 3:30pm – A special theatre performance of ‘The Ballad of Mulan’, based on the legendary Chinese warrior who inspired Disney’s films at MAST Mayflower Studios. Tickets available here.
- 4:50pm – Line Dancing by Chinese Association of Southampton: free
You are also encouraged to join two accompany shows inside the MAST Studios:
- Saturday 11 June 3:30pm (1 hour) at MAST Studio 2 (Tickets £5)
Taking Flight presents ‘What’s Best For Jada’ by Alex Blanc
Red Dragonfly Productions is proud to present the rehearsed reading of ‘Taking Flight Festival’ New Writing Competition’s Winning play – ‘What’s Best for Jada’ by emerging British-Chinese playwright Alex Blanc.
Jada’s parents are no longer together. She plays legos with her dad Richard, as he and his new partner Claire shower her with horse-riding lessons and days out in Chessington. Jada’s mum Marie disapproves from a distance. Whilst Richard rejects his Chinese upbringing, Marie embraces it providing what she believes is important, money for Jada’s education, healthcare and upkeep. Parenting isn’t easy, co-parenting is even harder – but they know what’s best for Jada and everything they do is for her – or is it?
Supported by funding from Arts Council England. Tickets for ‘What’s Best for Jada’ available here. - Sunday 12 June 3:30pm (1 hour) at MAST STudio 2 (Tickets £10)
The Ballad of Mulan by Red Dragonfly Productions
Woman, warrior, legend. For ten years Mulan disguised as a man, has fought for the Chinese Empire. Now the fighting is coming to an end, one last battle and she will be going home – but can she return to her old life, become a woman again. A search for identity in a violent world.
Commissioned by and performed by British-Chinese actress Michelle Yim, developed with the support and funding from Arts Council England. Produced by the team behind Edfringe Sell-Out ‘The Unknown Soldier’ Grist to the Mill, in collaboration with British East Asian theatre company Red Dragonfly Productions, we bring you the real Chinese heroine that inspired Disney’s animation and live-feature Mulan. ‘A powerful exploration of gender, war, and identity, as relevant and timely today as ever. Expect a little humour, a lot of heart and a refreshing focus on the darker aspects of a familiar tale’ ★★★★ Tulpa Magaine, Adelaide Fringe.
Tickets for ‘The Ballad of Mulan’ available here.
Announcement at the Visit Southampton Website