Miss Julie, daughter of a Count who owns an European manor in the 19th century, and Jean, an engaged manservant to the Count, find themselves in a struggle of love and lust. How will the resulting themes of rights and identity in the play be perceived by us, who live in a post-colonial Asian city in the 21st century?
Nelson Chia, Artistic Director of Singapore theatre company Nine Years Theatre, leads a creative and performing team of Macao and Singaporean artists in presenting the reputed work by Swedish playwright August Strindberg, Miss Julie, with a new twist. Nine Macao and Singaporean actors will take on the roles of Miss Julie, the manservant, and a female servant in Pissed Julie, an adaptation in which the realistic storyline is infused with cross-era symbols, and where an ironic approach is employed to excavate the contemporary significance in a classic play.
Nine Years Theatre is one of the most important theatre groups in Singapore. Its Artistic Director Nelson Chia is a two-time winner of the Best Director award at The Straits Times’ “Life! Theatre Awards” and was commissioned by the Esplanade to present shows at its Huayi Festival for three consecutive years. Last year, Chia was commissioned by the Singapore International Festival of Arts to direct the opening performance.
Original Text: August Strindberg
Direction and Adaptation: Nelson Chia (Singapore)
Performers: Leong Fan Kai, Kate Leong, Ho Chi Iao, Mandy Cheang, Mia Chee (Singapore), Hang Qian Chou (Singapore), Neo Hai Bin (Singapore), Jean Toh (Singapore) and Timothy Wan (Singapore)
Stage Design: Cola Wong
Lighting Design: Calvin Lam
Co-production: Macao Arts Festival and Nine Years Theatre
Duration: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, no interval
Performed in Cantonese and Mandarin, with surtitles in Chinese and English
Restricted to audiences aged 13 and above (contains adult content)
Post-show Talk on 11 May