Michelle Yim
Actress, England UK
Work commissioned, developed and performed by Michelle Yim
The Ballad of Mulan
A woman, a warrior, a Chinese legend.
Don't expect a fluffy, magical 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 fought for the Chinese Empire, disguised as a man, but now the fighting is coming to an end, one last battle and she will be going home – but can she return to her old life, become a woman again. A search for identity in a violent world.
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 Emperor's 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
The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield 29 May 2021
(as part of the Together Festival Season)
Capstone Theatre, Liverpool 27 June 2021
(as part of the Angel Field Festival)
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough 11 Sept 2021
Chinese New Year 2022 UK Tour
-Rose Theatre, Edgehill Arts Centre, 26 Jan 2022
-The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre, Havant, 27 Jan 2022
-Barbican Theatre, Plymouth, 28 Jan 2022
-Martin Harris Centre, Manchester C.I., 31 Jan 2022
-Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton, 1 Feb 2022
-Garrett Theatre, Storyhouse Chester, 2 Feb 2022
-Sherling Studio, Lighthouse Poole, 3 Feb 2022
-Hull Truck Studio, Hull Truck, 4 Feb 2022
-The Witham, Barnard Castle, 5 Feb 2022
-Pontio Studio, Bangor Confucius Institute, 6 Feb 2022
-Benenden School, 7 Feb 2022
-Quay Theatre, Sudbury, 8 Feb 2022
-Fisher Theatre, Bungay, 9 Feb 2022
-Llandovery College, Llandovery, 10 Feb 2022
-The Old Hall, UWTSD Lampeter C.I., 11 Feb 2022
-Northcott Theatre, Exeter, 12 Feb 2022
-Irving Studio, Everyman Cheltenham, 17 Feb 2022
The Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen 7 Mar 2022
Robert Gordon College, Aberdeen 8 Mar 2022
The Rotunda Theatre, Brighton Fringe 10-12 May, 28-29 May
Pegasus Theatre, Oxford, 18 June 2022
The Rotunda Theatre, Wells Theatre Festival 7, 10 Jul 2022
The Rotunda Theatre, Buxton Fringe 10, 17, 19-20 Jul 2022
Gilded Balloon, Edfringe 3-28 Aug 2022
Norwich Theatre, Stage Two 28 Oct 2022
The Potteries Museum, Stoke on Trent 20 Jan 2023
Helmsley Arts Centre, Helmsley 21 Jan 2023
Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Heriot Watt C.I. 3 Feb 2023
Student Union, Newcastle C.I. 20 Mar 2023
Robert Gordon College, Aberdeen 27 Sept 2023
St George Liverpool Hall, Liverpool 9 Feb 2024
Bridport Arts Centre, Bridport 8 Mar 2024
Rotunda Theatre, Brighton Fringe 7, 8, 21 May 2024
Rotunda Theatre, Tunbridge Wells Fringe 7 & 13 Jul 2024
Marquee Theatre, Theatr Clwyd Mold 17 Sept 2024
Tour Schedule
Sat 01 Feb 2025 The Riverfront Theatre, Newport 7:30pm
(in celebration of Chinese New Year)
Press Reviews
British Theatre Guide 'It’s a brilliant performance, thus proving that both Red Dragonfly and Grist to the Mill can reach and exceed the high bars they have set in previous years, and that there is always new wisdom to be found even in the oldest of stories.'
Tulpa Magazine 'A powerful exploration of gender, war, and identity, as relevant and timely today as ever.'
Stage Whispers 'Michelle Yim is absolutely terrific as Mulan. She holds the stage with a commanding presence as well as charm and warmth. We feel for Mulan's dilemma, as well as being impressed with her fighting skills.'
