Credit: Javier Sotres
A Taste of Hong Kong
Vancity Culture Lab at The Cultch to March 15, 2025
Tickets from $36 at 604-251-1363 or www.thecultch.com
Posted March 10, 2025
With war still raging in Ukraine and an on-again-off-again trade war imposed on us by President Donald Trump, it’s easy to forget about what’s happening in Hong Kong, officially known as one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the Peoples’ Republic of China (the other region being Macau). But the situation there is far from peaceful with protests against the Beijing regime and brutal government reprisals that reach beyond the PRC. Written by “Anonymous” says it all: even here in Canada the playwright fears the long arm of China’s law enforcement.
A Taste of Hong Kong is set up as a celebration of Hong Kong cuisine – especially the delicious street food – and while actor Derek Chan, as Jackie, tells us about pineapple buns, fish meat siu mai, curry fish balls and red bean dessert soup (all included in the compostable container everyone gets when entering the Culture Lab), congee simmers away stage right for sampling at the end of the show. But street food is not what it used to be due to post-handover regulations about where venders are allowed and strict new licensing requirements. Beijing is calling the shots and tasty, much-loved street food is disappearing.
But A Taste of Hong Kong is much, much more than an exploration of Hong Kong delicacies. It’s a history lesson told in such an animated way it’s easy to digest. Hong Kong means “Fragrant Harbour”. Settlement goes back 30,000 years. Population 7.4 million with 40% of the land set aside for parks. Under British rule from January 20, 1841 – July 1, 1997 – “Handover Day”. Chan, casually dressed in a white t-shirt and toque, is so lively and animated as he serves up the history lesson, darting back and forth – even rewarding the audience with White Rabbit candies for remembering the facts.
And then he gets serious.
Street protests. Tear gas. Pepper spray. Rubber bullets. Real bullets. Clubs. Metal rods. Jackie and his friend Alex get beaten. Hired thugs board public transit and beat everyone aboard: innocent men and women as well as protesters. And eventually, Jackie’s flees from Hong Kong, leaving Alex behind to continue the struggle. “I left. I was lucky I could.”
Credit: Javier Sotres
The juxtaposition from chatty and cheerful to descriptions of violence is sharp and shocking. Turning from the USA as Canada’s foremost trading partner to China suddenly doesn’t seem like such a good idea.
As Jackie, Chan is a tremendously spirited, engaging performer. He’s a kidder, a natural-born comic. But he’s also sad and angry and we’re with him and his character all the way.
Directed by Richard Wolfe for Pi Theatre and Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre; set design by Jergus Oprsal with video design by Andie Lloyd; lighting design by Sophie Tang; animation by Ronnie Cheng; sound design by Alex Mah. It’s a tight and tasty package in the intimate Culture Lab space.
A Taste of Hong Kong is an eye opener and a reminder that there’s something rotten in the People’s Republic of China. “Fight until the end”, is Alex’s entreaty. “Hong Kongers, keep going”, is Jackie’s cri de coeur.