Rotten Big Ass
Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
14-16.11 (Thu - Sat) 8pm, 17.11 (Sun) 3pm, 22-23.11 (Fri - Sat) 8pm
Presented & Produced by Zuni Icosahedron
The shock-and-awe, created by the most advanced stage space, sound effects integrated with the almost forgotten Banyan tempo system, can only be felt by the audience on the spot.
The Banyan tempo once enjoyed wide popularity in the brothels of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Blind songsters like Dou Wun were called to perform in brothels to entertain the prostitutes and their guests. Among them, the most popular and unique music genre is Banyan, because it is performed only in brothels, nowhere else. After 1935, when Hong Kong issued a ban on prostitution, traditional public brothels disappeared, and Banyan became extinct.
Rotten Big Ass, also known as Quarrels between Two Loukais, is one of the recordings made by Professor Bell Yung for Dou Wun's live performance in 1975. Loukai is a term which refers to the relationship between prostitutes and their clients. The song-story, sung in a first-person narrative, is about an elderly client nicknamed Rotten Big Ass who came to look for his prostitute Sui Choi, at a time when his wealthy days were behind him and he felt neglected.
The performance features the interaction of the original recording of Dou Wun's song-art with a new version re-interpreted by Hong Kong contemporary sound artist Nerve (Steve Hui), together with a puppet show. A unique chance to relive the solemn and playful work of Dou Wun.
Ticketing
$200 (Free seating)
$100 (Full-time students)
- Running time approximately 70 minutes with no intermission
- Post Performance talk will be conducted in Cantonese
- No latecomers will be admitted until a suitable break in the performance
- Zuni Icosahedron reserves the right to add, withdraw or substitute artists and/or vary advertised programmes and seating arrangements