A Riveting, Darkly Comic Tale of a Chinese Student's Pursuit in Acting.
Dive into the world of "Be Water," where mime and dark comedy blend to tell the story of a Chinese international student's daring journey in the UK's acting world. Drawing inspiration from Bruce Lee's "Be water, my friend," this narrative is a rollercoaster of emotions, humour, and stark realities.
Age Guidance: 15+
Cast & Creative Team:
Actor/Writer/Director: CHENXING LIU
Producer: LILLI LEHMANN
About the Artist:
Chenxing Liu (she/her), a dynamic performer and artist, has rapidly become a notable figure in the performing arts. A graduate of the University of Queensland with a BA in Major Drama, she's currently excelling at King's College London, pursuing an MA in Theatre and Performance Studies and poised to graduate with distinction. Honoured with the Change Award for her exceptional academic and artistic contributions, Chenxing’s journey is marked by her unwavering dedication and talent.
Trained in China and at London's Generation Arts and Theatre Peckham, she brings a unique perspective to her theatrical performances, acclaimed for their depth and authenticity. Chenxing's artistic reach extends beyond acting into the realms of visual art, showcased in several galleries, and the diverse world of film and modelling, where she has made significant contributions.
Her commitment to the arts transcends her personal achievements; she has founded a non-profit theatre organisation, focusing on workshops for international students, thereby fostering new talent and encouraging cultural exchange.
Chenxing Liu stands out as a multifaceted artist, blending educational excellence with a passion for community-building in the arts.
Lilli Lehmann (she/they) is a London-based producer with a background in theatre design and recipient of the André Ptaszynski Prize for Producing. With her production company TO Entertainment, Lilli specialises in the weird and unexpected to cater for excitement-driven and open audiences who seek connections. From devised, new writing to interdisciplinary work, and a passion for queer stories, Lilli’s productions ask questions, and celebrate the multi-faceted world we live in. Past work includes Your Christmas Carol Experience (The Space), eNBy City (Theatre Deli), Rain Weaver (Backstage Theatre), How to get to Eudemonia (Backstage Theatre), Der Fisch, der die Lüfte beherrschte (Theater Konstanz, Germany).
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This play addresses sensitive and potentially distressing themes. It explores experiences of racism, stereotypes, culture shock, family dynamics, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rise of anti-Asian hatred. The narrative includes discussions and depictions of violence.