Work commissioned by Michelle Yim
The Ballad of Mulan
A woman, a warrior, a Chinese legend.
Don't expect a fluffy Disney tale here, this Mulan is visceral. She is a warrior, a fighter, a woman who survived in a very male world for ten years without discovery. There is no perfect make-up, no singing animals, just a gritty story of a soldier. For ten long years she marched with the army, fought with them, became a general, a hero, but just how did her true identity remain secret? We shall find out.
This is Michelle Yim's third solo commission, after The Empress and Me and An Evening with Miss Wong. Bloomsbury playwright Ross Ericson and Michelle Yim bring to life the real Mulan who, to save her families honour, disguised herself as a man and joined the Emperors army.
This project’s development is supported using funding from Arts Council England.
Written and Directed by Ross Ericson
Performed by Michelle Yim
Music by Pearl Yim
Weapon and Armour by Philip Dell
Costume by Elizabeth Cooke
Produced by Grist to the Mill Productions
The Ballad of Mulan has visited:
The Rotunda Theatre, Buxton Fringe 21 Jul 2019
Assembly Room, Powder Room, Edfringe 2-23 Aug 2019
Chinese New Year 2020 UK Tour
New Hall School, Chelmsford, 22 Jan 2020
Dixie Grammar School, Market Bosworth, 28 Jan 2020
Newcastle Confucius Institute, 31 Jan 2020
The Carlile Hub, Meltham, 1 Feb 2020
Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, 2 Feb 2020
Cowley International College, St Helen, 3 Feb 2020
Anchorsholme Academy, Thornton-Cleveley, 4 Feb 2020
The Old Hall, UWTSD, Lampeter Campus, 5 Feb 2020
The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead, 12 Feb 2020
Seven Kings School, Ilford, 14 Feb 2020
Bakehouse Theatre Studio, Adelaide Fringe 3, 7, 12 Mar 2020
