Lasa Ng Imperyo (A Taste of Empire)

rice & beans theatre (Canada)

Lasa Ng Imperyo (A Taste of Empire)
  • Thu Jan 30 7pm
  • Fri Jan 31 6pm
  • Tue Feb 4 7pm
  • Wed Feb 5 7pm
  • Thu Feb 6 7pm
  • Sat Feb 8 2pm
$39
75min

Presented with

  • Boca del Lupo
  • Micro Performance Series

In a surprising fusion of theatre and gastronomy, this adaptation of A Taste of Empire reimagines Jovanni Sy’s acclaimed play about the effects of global imperialism on how we produce, prepare and consume food. Presented in Tagalog with English surtitles, the performance guides audiences across the layered history of Philippine cultural heritage through a live cooking demonstration.

This new version brings a fresh female perspective to the piece by replacing the original Sous-Chef Jovanni with the witty and intrepid Sous-Chef Mela. Her task? To cook rellenong bangus, or stuffed milkfish, a dish whose intricate preparation process takes its roots from the country’s culinary traditions and colonial past.

As the dish is brought to life, so too are the stories embedded within its ingredients. Sous-Chef Mela’s insights connect the flavours and techniques to broader themes around globalization, cultural identity and resource exploitation, inviting viewers to consider how the global food market continues to be shaped by imperialist legacies.

Sa paglalahad na ito ng A Taste of Empire ni Jovanni Sy, pinagtatambal ang teatro at gastronomiya para pagnilayan ang mga epekto ng “global imperialism” o pandaigdigang imperyalismo sa ating pagprodyus, paghanda, at pagkonsumo ng pagkain. Sa pamamagitan ng isang live cooking demonstration, ginagabayan ng pagtatanghal na ito ang mga manonood sa kumplikadong kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, gamit ang wikang Tagalog na may kasamang mga surtitle sa Ingles.

Imbes na si Sous-Chef Jovanni, tampok ng bagong  bersiyon na ito si Sous-Chef Mela. Trabaho ng maboka at matapang na Sous-Chef ang magluto ng relyenong bangus, isang putaheng malalim ang ugat sa kasaysayan ng kulinarya at koloniyalismo.

Kung paanong unti-unting binubuhay ang relyenong bangus sa Lasa ng Imperyo, gayundin ang mga kuwentong nakababad sa mga sangkap nito. Pinagdudugtong ni Sous-Chef Mela ang bawat timpla at hakbang sa mga tema ng globalisasyon, “cultural identity” o kultural na pagkakakilanlan, at “resource exploitation” o ang pag-abuso sa mga likas na yaman, at inaanyayahan ng mga manonood na pagnilayan kung paanong patuloy na hinuhubog ng imperyalismo ang “global food markets” o ang pandaigdigang kalakalan ng pagkain.

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Artist Bio

rice & beans theatre

rice & beans theatre was founded in 2010 by Pedro Chamale and Derek Chan. Besides Vancouver, rice & beans theatre has also produced original work for audiences in Toronto, Richmond, Nanaimo, and Victoria. In 2018, rice & beans theatre was nominated for a Dora Award for its production of Sik Zeon Tin Haa with Cahoots Theatre in Toronto. In 2019/20, Chicken Girl was nominated for 3 Jessies in Vancouver. rice & beans theatre tells stories of where we come from and where we are going, by ways of experimentation with languages and the theatrical form. rice & beans theatre focuses on the creation, incubation and production of original performances. Through rigorous experimentation, with intimate passion and delicate violence, rice & beans write, adapt, and devise work that is relevant and artistically responsible. We value theatre that is accessible, honest, uncompromising and personal.

Carmela Sison

Carmela Sison (she/her) is a Filipina-Canadian artist living and working on the stolen land of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA in Acting program and has been working in theatre and film since 2010. Select theatre credits include Miss Bennett: Christmas in Pemberley (Arts Club), Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Merchant of Venice (Bard on the Beach). Beyond acting she has also taken on producing, arts administration, and coaching for young actors. Carmela completed a two-year translation and adaptation development of A Taste of Empire by Jovanni Sy titled Lasa ng Imperyo with Nina Lee Aquino and Jovanni Sy.

Partners

Venue

The Nest

1398 Cartwright St, Vancouver

Showtimes

  • January 30: 7pm
  • January 31: 6pm
  • February 4: 7pm
  • February 5: 7pm
  • February 6: 7pm
  • February 8: 2pm

Post-show talk: Feb 4, 6, 8

Content Advisory

Food will be served. Contact access@pushfestival.ca if you have allergy concerns.

Tickets

Single Tickets: $39
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Access

Icon signalling a performance with surtitles

In Tagalog with English surtitles

Icon signalling a performance with signed interpretation

ASL-interpretation on Feb 5

Credits

Actor/Creator Carmela Sison Actor TBC Director Marcus Youssef Stage Manager Jethelo Espaldon Cabilete Set and Lighting Designer Parjad Sharifi Video and Subtitle Designer Andie Lloyd Props and Costume Designer TBC Production Manager/Technical Director Christian Ching

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