From theatre creator, performer, and video artist Kevin Matthew Wong comes a charming and intimate storytelling experience that blossoms into a multi-layered Chinese-Canadian tale spanning continents, migrations, and generations. Kevin has always wondered about his roots. Kevin is Hakka (客家)—one of the world’s most widely dispersed communities—he thinks. Out of the blue, Kevin receives a phone call asking him to write a play about Hakka identity. For seniors. In Markham, Ontario, where almost 50% of the population is Chinese. Vulnerable and epic, moving and playful, Benevolence is a powerful exploration of community, hybrid identities, and legacy. Tracing the roots of the Hakka (客家), Kevin Matthew Wong embarks on a journey to untangle these threads within himself.

Note: This production includes loud noises at the beginning of the performance.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Kevin Matthew Wong is a Hakka Chinese-Canadian theatre creator, dramaturg, facilitator, video artist, and producer. Wong is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Broadleaf Creative – a company that produces social justice and climate justice-informed artworks. Wong is also the Director of Producing and Creative Associate at Why Not Theatre leading a diverse portfolio of large-scale and touring projects including the world premieres of Mahabharata and What You Won’t Do For Love. Currently Wong is the inaugural Jini Stolk Creative Fellow, leading a research project on how large-scale legacy institutions in Canada can better collaborate with BIPOC artists and companies. Selected theater credits include: (as Actor) The Chemical Valley Project (Broadleaf Creative); (as Producer) Mahabharata (Why Not Theatre/Shaw Festival/Barbican/Perth Festival), What You Won’t Do For Love, Prince Hamlet, Like Mother, Like Daughter (Why Not Theatre), R+J (Why Not Theatre/Stratford Festival), Mr. Shi and His Lover (Music Picnic/Tarragon Theatre); (as Playwright) Transmission, Snowflake’s Special (Climate Change Theatre Action). Selected film and television credits include: (as Director) Benevolence (Broadleaf Creative/Unsung Voices 12); (as Projection Designer) Rosa’s Flowers (dir. Amanda Ann-Min Wong). Awards: Inaugural Winner of both the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Innovative Experience (Benevolence Hall) and the Jini Stolk Creative Fellowship; Harold Award.

CREDITS

FUNDING + SUPPORT

A Why Not Theatre Production in association with Tarragon Theatre and Broadleaf Creative.

Why Not Theatre acknowledges the support of Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, the Wuchien Michael Than Foundation, and development support from the Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies.

SOCIALS