What migration taught me about migration, memory and belonging

What happens when a living thing is moved away from the conditions in which it first learned to grow?

After migrating from Hong Kong to Britain, Applied Theatre practitioner Phoebe Chan began cultivating a garden in an unfamiliar landscape. Learning about soil, climate, timing, failure and adaptation gradually gave her a new way of understanding her own experience as a migrant. It also led her to consider what it means to build a relationship with a new place while retaining memories of and attachments to another.

In this reflective talk, Phoebe combines personal reflection with behind-the-scenes stories about the making of her solo play, From Old Bean Grows Bak Choy. She shares how her experiences in the garden shaped the creative process and explores ideas of roots, native soil and transplantation. How far can these gardening metaphors help us understand migration?

The talk stands alone as a reflection on migration, creativity and belonging, while introducing some of the questions from which the performance grew. It also offers a lead-in to the performance of From Old Bean Grows Bak Choy at the Phoenix Garden the following week.

August 18th. Performace tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1993741497489?aff=oddtdtcreator

Description supplied by the event organiser.