WINDOW
A WORLD
Premiered at Essex Street East,
Dublin Theatre Festival, 2022
Documentation streamed on BUDA’s website, 2023
Documentation exhibited as part of Home Ideal,
at NGO DEI Gallery in The Hague, Netherlands, 2024
In every window a world shimmers. From a busy street, you are invited to make an intimate connection. A new live piece between film, installation and theatre, WINDOW A WORLD asks what happens when we listen and look in.
A European Art Commission through Be SpectACTive!, a large-scale European cooperation project co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. Co-produced by BUDA and Dublin Theatre Festival
Video available on request
Roles: Concept, Writer, Director, Video and Costume Designer, Graphic Design
“Nowhere were colours as moody and bright as in Choy-Ping Clarke-Ng 吳彩萍’s superb installation-play about a young designer separated from friends and family.”
- Chris McCormack in Best Theatre of 2022
“Pushes the boundaries of what actually comprises ‘theatre.’ Film, dance and music merge seamlessly... The entire performance was unexpected; a welcome breath of fresh air. [It] proves that Irish theatre making is advancing towards modern and non-traditional forms.” ★★★★
- The Reviews Hub
“WINDOW A WORLD through its interactive and immersive set-up, blurred the lines between real life and performance, intensifying its impact and amplifying its themes. Audiences will resonate with the show’s exploration of identity and uncertainty… Dublin’s creative community remains as busy and brilliant as ever.”
- The University Times
“an innovative and well-executed happening”
- No More Workhorse
Team
Concept, Text, Direction, Video / Costume Design:
Choy-Ping Ní Chléirigh-Ng 吳彩萍
Cantonese Translation: Sally Tang
Dutch Translation: Famke Struyve
Costume Design for Knife / Purl:
Choy-Ping Ní Chléirigh-Ng 吳彩萍 and Hansun Lamb
Sound Design: Padraig Ryan (Paudie Bob)
Lighting Design: Pedro Pacheco
Cast:
Hansun Lamb as Knife / Purl
Sally Tang as Aunt
Marty Breen as Daire
Hazel Clifford as Alex
Liadh Ho as Jun Loi 俊來
Producer: Sophie Coote
Production Management: Ultan Pringle
Stage Management: Lora Hartin
Audience Assistant: Rachel Coote
Technical Assistant / Video Op: Eoin Robinson
Film Lighting Crew / Rehearsal Photography:
Owen Clarke
Digital Companion: Algorithm
Documentation Photography: Isaac Harris
Documentation Video Editor / Graphic Design:
Choy-Ping Ní Chléirigh-Ng 吳彩萍
Documentation Video Footage: Fruit Frame
Documentation Video Colour Grade / VFX: Colm Higgins
With thanks to: Luke Casserly, Kwen Yee Chow, Carol Clarke-Ng, Dead Centre, DU Players, Natasha Duffy, Fringe Lab, Kevin Gleeson, Colm Higgins, Indigo and Cloth Café, the Lir, La Devignère Lussac, Molly McAvoy, Grace Morgan, Chi-Wai Ng, Jack Phelan, Project Arts Centre, Siobhán Slater, Joe Stathers and Valenciaga
Process
The first marketing graphic that was made for Dublin Theatre Festival’s programme launch in summer. We had the concept and venue but no script. The title and window for the piece served as the inspiration.
The final marketing graphic featuring a distorted Hansun Lamb. This was used as the background for the website created by Algorithm, where the audience accessed the audio livestream.
WINDOW A WORLD took place at night on Essex Street East, in Dublin's busy Temple Bar. Several site visits were made before the show opened, to get a sense of the light / noise levels and atmosphere. I was initially daunted by the street's challenges, but in the end it was exciting to see the general public interacting with the piece, in particular the performance on the balcony. It felt like anyone could be part of the experience. Photo taken by me, with producer Sophie Coote barely visible in the window for a sense of scale.
The video with actors was shot about a month before opening, in a theatre over three days. A green screen and some additional set / props were used. Lighting designer Pedro Pacheco utilised the space and kit to optimise it for filming. Post-production video work I completed included programming, keying, subtitling, colour grading and making animated environments for the characters. Photo taken during shooting by Owen Clarke.
The cast’s audio performances were recorded at sound designer Paudie Bob's home studio over several days. We also spent a lot of time discussing and playing sound references from dream pop to Phoebe Bridgers. Sound and music were keys to create an atmosphere for the audience on the busy street. In the end, we used a mix of pre-existing tracks and new compositions Paudie made, including the beautiful atmospheric track in the trailer above.
I collaborated closely with Hansun Lamb, the main performer and talented drag artist to design, source and make his costumes as Knife / Purl. I thought this made sense as not only does Hansun have great fashion sense but he also knows instinctively what works for him in drag. His final Purl costume was inspired by the ocean, Cantonese opera and Anita Mui's legendary wedding dress performance. This is the finished look, taken by Isaac Harris backstage at Project Arts Centre.