Hong Kong-based Theatre du Pif returns to the UK with Must I Cry, a moving and visually rich production set to run at Pleasance Theatre, London from 31st July to 2nd August.
Devised, directed and performed by Bonni Chan, Must I Cry is a poetic meditation on memory, loss, and transformation, interweaving the story of a city shedding its colonial past with the extinction of the last male northern white rhinoceros.
The production draws inspiration from the work of acclaimed Hong Kong writer Xi Xi, particularly her essay My Love for Hong Kong Island.
Bonni Chan said, “The inspiration came from an essay by writer Xi Xi titled My Love for Hong Kong Island. After her father’s passing, she reflected on many memories of him and the moments they shared, as well as the city’s shadows and changes. Additionally, I was inspired by a photo on the cover of National Geographic, depicting the last Northern White Rhinoceros and its caretaker. In that poignant moment before the rhino’s death, they shared a deep embrace. It’s hard to fathom the extinction of a species that has existed on Earth for millions of years. This theme of loss resonates deeply: the loss of a loved one, the memories of a city we’ve lived in, and the loss of a species. How can we embrace these losses? recall that some Egyptians have said a person doesn’t truly die until everyone forgets them. I want to explore how we can preserve those precious memories or significant parts of our past.”
Blending poetic storytelling, live music by Lau Chi-Bun, and evocative visual projections, the 65-minute performance is delivered in English with Chinese surtitles and is suitable for audiences aged 8 and above.
Must I Cry had its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024, marking Bonni Chan’s first UK production in two decades.
Theatre du Pif, founded in Scotland in 1992 by Bonni Chan and Sean Curran, is known for its cross-cultural and bilingual productions. Since relocating to Hong Kong in 1995, the company has collaborated with international artists including Adrian Noble, Tim Crouch, and Mikel Murfi.
The London run follows performances in Avignon, France (19–26 July) and precedes a tour to Cork, Ireland (6–9 September).
Listings and ticket information can be found here.