Studying under Asian parents' illusion of a music career, the battle to get into a prestigious school and the struggle to compete with others in the world of classical music: it’s not easy to always keep up in an extremely competitive and judgemental culture. It’s painful to remain silent when facing superiors abusing their power. In their show, The Grand Percussionist Yung-Tuan Ku and Che-Sheng Wu explore these topics through percussion theater with humour. It showcases the hurdles they have taken: from sexism during auditions to intimate and intimidating one-on-one time with their tutors. Their journey also translates into other professional fields. Through their work, Ku and Wu want to raise awareness to what negative encounters and psychological pressure can lead up to. Because the body keeps the score.
This performance has won the Next Best of Fringe Award of Amsterdam Fringe Festival 2023
concept: Che-Sheng Wu / Yung-Tuan Ku
coach: Michael Helmerhorst
music advisor: Marc Alberto
TinCan props: Aart Marcus
video: Che-Sheng Wu
light: Ide van Heiningen
soundmix: Mattie Poels
performer: Che-Sheng Wu / Yung-Tuan Ku
percussion: Che-Sheng Wu / Yung-Tuan Ku
sponsor: Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst /Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands / Studio MAPA Nedrland
13/09/2023 20:45 Salon de Ijzerstaven, Amsterdam Fringe Festival
14/09/2023 14:00 Salon de Ijzerstaven, Amsterdam Fringe Festival
14/09/2023 19:00 Salon de Ijzerstaven, Amsterdam Fringe Festival
15/09/2023 20:45 Salon de Ijzerstaven, Amsterdam Fringe Festival
16/09/2023 15:00 Salon de Ijzerstaven, Amsterdam Fringe Festival
23/09/2023 14:00 Studio MAPA Nederland
23/09/2023 20:00 Studio MAPA Nederland
26/11/2023 20:00 Stadsschouwburg Utrecht
14/01/2024 15:00 Pleintheater Amsterdam
31/01/2024 20:00 Toneelschuur Haarlem
28/04/2024 16:00 Korzo Den Haag
08/06/2024 14:30 Oerol Festival (short version)
08/06/2024 16:30 Oerol Festival (short version)
09/06/2024 14:00 Oerol Festival (short version)
09/06/2024 16:00 Oerol Festival (short version)
10/08/2024 18:00 Theaterfestival Boulevard (short version)
10/08/2024 21:00 Theaterfestival Boulevard (short version)
11/08/2024 20:00 Theaterfestival Boulevard (short version)