“The story that’s haunted me and that I keep coming back to is much closer to home.” - Jane Hutcheon
"A tantalising insight into the breadth and bravery she displayed across her career." - The Age/Sydney Morning Herald
“I challenge anyone not to be moved by this beautiful and moving tribute.” - Theatre Travels
Throughout her adventurous journalism career, one story has intrigued Jane Hutcheon more than any other: the story of her mother Beatrice’s turbulent childhood in pre-Communist Shanghai. It’s the tale of an ordinary Eurasian family in extraordinary times, set against a backdrop of fading colonial opulence and looming war.
After visiting Shanghai in 2018, Jane began to search for the truth of her mother’s difficult beginnings. Lost in Shanghai is her family’s story of survival. Beatrice becomes a journalist at the South China Morning Post in the 1950’s, perhaps setting a precedent for her daughter. Using projected images from the family archive curated by renowned photographer William Yang and music composed and performed by Dr Terumi Narushima, Jane narrates the moving story of Lost in Shanghai in her own words.
Co-Directed by William Yang and Tasnim Hossain, Lost in Shanghai adds to the rich collection of theatrical storytelling works from Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (CAAP), such as Double Delicious, The Backstories, In Between Two, Who Speaks for Me and Stories Then and Now.
Credits;
Writer/ Performer - Jane Hutcheon
Co-Director - William Yang
Co-Director/Dramaturg - Tasnim Hossain
Composer/ Musician - Terumi Narushima
Lighting Designer - Susan Grey Gardner
Genre - Theatre / Storytelling
Duration of Show - 75 minutes (No interval)
Suitable for - Ages 14+
Content Warnings - Aboriginal and Torres Strait cultural warning - Please be advised that the following performance contains images of people who have died.
Photo Credit: Clare Hawley (Production Photography)