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 is a Vancouver-based theatre company founded in 2010 by Pedro Chamale and Derek Chan. We provide a platform for the creation, development and production of boundary-pushing theatre by artists of colour or otherwise marginalized theatre-makers, as well as support to fellow artists by providing dramaturgy, direction, and mentorship. We are dedicated to facilitating original Canadian work that is accessible, honest, uncompromising and personal. In addition to Vancouver, we have also produced original work for audiences in Toronto, Richmond, Nanaimo and Victoria. In 2018, rice & beans was nominated for a Dora Award for its production of 食盡天下/A Taste of Empire with Cahoots Theatre in Toronto. In 2019, its production of Chicken Girl was nominated for 3 Jessies in Vancouver and in 2022, its production of Yellow Objects won a Jessie Innovation Award.

Carmela Sison

Carmela Sison (she/her) is a Filipina-Canadian artist living and working on the stolen territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. A graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA in Acting program, she has been working in theatre and film for 15 years. Select theatre credits include Kamila Sediego’s Homecoming (Urban Ink), Miss Bennett: Christmas in Pemberley (Arts Club), Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Merchant of Venice (Bard on the Beach), Much Ado About Nothing (Theatre Calgary), Are We There Yet?, Consent, Under Cover (Concrete Theatre), Cowboy Vs. Samurai (Chromatic Theatre). Beyond acting she has also taken on producing, arts administration, and coaching for young actors. Lasa ng Imperyo has been developed through Workshop Theatre Montreal’s Glassco Translation residency in Taddousac, Quebec and rice & beans theatre’s DBLPSK. She is so grateful for her friends’ and family’s love and support and to all the artist who have been a part of this process. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat!

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

Adaptation/Lead Performer: Carmela Sison Director: Marcus Youssef Set/Lighting Designer: Parjad Sharifi Video/Surtitle Designer: Andie Lloyd Props/Costume Designer: Jenn Stewart Sound Designer: Mary Jane Coomber Dramaturg/Grammar Consultant: Karla Comanda Performer: Oswald Gabriel Pingol Stage Manager: Jethelo Espaldon Cabilete Production Manager/Technical Director: Christian Ching Original Text by: Jovanni Sy Workshop Dramaturge: Nina Lee Aquino

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