Don't Call Me China Doll
Theatre (solo show, new writing)
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Venue 302Underbelly, Bristo Square - Clover
- 12:55
- Aug 26
- 1 hour
- Country: United Kingdom - England
- Group: Diana Feng / WWWC
- Warnings and additional info: Audience participation, Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Scenes of a sexual nature, Strong language/swearing
- Accessibility: May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
- Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
- Policy applies to: Children under 2 years
Description
As she prepares for the audition of a lifetime (playing Anna May Wong in a biopic about Hollywood’s first East Asian starlet) China Doll must confront and untangle the ingénue’s legacy as she discovers astonishing parallels between them and the ways they navigate love, life, and identity as East Asian actors in the west. Don't Call Me China Doll explores the intricacies of internalised racism and self-worth. A compelling exploration of identity, discrimination and progress, prompting audiences to reflect on how and why East Asians face the same biases as they did a century ago.Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].
General venue access
- Accessible entry: Level access with a slight ramp to enter the building.Queuing will begin outside the venue in the Med Quad courtyard. A staff member will then escort the queue inside.
- Stairs: Information not supplied
Wheelchair access type: Level Access
Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info
How and when to make an access booking
- Phone: +44 (0)131 226 0002
- Email: [email protected]
- Textphone: +44 (0)7860 018 299
- Find out more about access at the Fringe.
Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:
- Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
- Requires extra assistance when at a venue
- Has specific seating requirements
- Is a wheelchair user
- Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance
Jasmine Cole 13 days ago
5 STARS - A solid piece of new writing that explores an important topic with balance, wit and moments of hilarity. Really strong performance, excellent writing and fun use of set pieces.
Muddy F 15 days ago
This performer uses her stage well and slips between characters effortlessly. She's polished. This was a slick performance. This is a talented performer.
Jillian Patterson 16 days ago
What a beautiful, funny, and relevant show! Superb acting, writing, and character work by Diana Feng, whose magnetic presence draws you into her story and takes you on heartfelt journey. Excellent use of staging, props, set, everything was fresh, engaging, and the whole show felt expertly crafted. Thought provoking and compelling. Bravo!
Tara Quborsi 16 days ago
A must see! I was engrossed in Diana’s beautiful performance, her storytelling was so engaging, vulnerable, witty and layered. The writing and set design is also brilliant. So glad I was able to watch this show, one of my favourites that I saw at the fringe this year.
Molly Traves 16 days ago
An incredible story told in a beautiful and powerful way. The use of the space and set was very clever and engaging and Diana is a joy to watch!
Philip Haworth 16 days ago
What a FANTASTIC show! Such an interesting story told impeccably by the fantastic Diana Feng, couldn’t recommend enough.
Brandon Horne 17 days ago
A beautifully portrayed and interactive piece, artfully revealing the struggle for acceptance in conflicting identities and cultures. I really enjoyed the balance of emotion and wit throughout. Definitely worth going if you’re able!
Michael Abrams 19 days ago
Terrific show. With vim, wit, and energy, Feng weaves her own identity struggles with those of the typecast actress Anna Mae Wong. Feng is so smart and funny and skips easily between a dozen or more accents both subtle and absurd. Plus she has an orgasm!
Matthieu K 21 days ago
Incredible writing and performance by Diana, really showcasing the breadth of her skills. Clever storyline, great pace, the story will get you thinking about stereotypes. Her singing was particularly beautiful and moving! Highly highly recommended.
Neal M 21 days ago
Amazing show highly recommend, Diana is an absolute powerhouse. Talented, funny and original. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stephen Doran 22 days ago
Stunning performance from Diana. We were lucky enough to be in the front row and were gripped from the outset. An intensely powerful one woman rendering of the challenges of the Asian lived experience. Clever set and production. Well worth seeing.
Aron 23 days ago
This was by far one of the top ever shows we saw in Fringe from among more than a dozen shows. Diana captures the audience’s attention from the first second. Through a biographical journey, discusses topics of racism, exoticising - the heavy topics are worked through in a touching and thought provoking way. Diana is a superb actress, playing extremely well multiple roles across her single women show. Her acting skills repertoire are really shown off here, and you are made to believe all the roles she keeps playing. Despite the heavy topics the audience also laughs a lot, as she combines humour extremely well into her show. A must-see
Sally 29 days ago
Really powerful insights into being “other” in a dominant society. Well acted. Sad that things have hardly changed over time and that Asian Americans still struggle with these issues. Highly recommend.
Gawa Leung 30 days ago
Beautiful, beautiful show. Diana Feng gives a precise, powerful and raw performance, full of laugh out loud jokes and delves deep into the vulnerabilities a "white-washed" Asian woman. You gave voice to so many Asian women who have had to navigate different cultures with your sharp pen and stunning performance.
Eshan Chatwal 32 days ago
This performance was incredible! Diana's ability to convey the story in such a vulnerable manner whilst also keeping it funny at times makes this show incredibly engaging and relatable. I am not of East-Asian heritage, although this did not prevent Diana's message from resonating so strongly. She is an incredible actress and is able to switch between characters flawlessly! My favourite fringe performance yet - highly recommend!
Kishan Chatwal 32 days ago
This was my first fringe and I went to many shows these past few days. Of them all that I watched, I can confidently say that 'Don't Call Me China Doll' was by far my favourite! It had me engrossed from start to finish.
Diana's acting is awesome, the storytelling is effortless and yet the show touches upon and discusses lots of heavy and important topics.
Although I am not east Asian myself, I could definitely relate to and empathise with the narrative and the main character! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend for anyone considering.
Tegan Verheul 32 days ago
This is such a beautiful show. The writing is excellent, and Diana's performance is truly captivating. It's raw and vulnerable, and she somehow manages to treat some really serious subjects with a levity and sense of humour that encourages audiences to laugh along with her. I've recommended this show to a number of people now, and everyone I know who's seen it has loved it just as much. Fringe theatre at its finest! Don't miss out!
Shien Lim 33 days ago
Absolutely masterful performance. Diana tells the story with such gusto but also variety that you are never bored, and always understand what exactly the character's intentions, emotional states and thoughts are, making it easy to follow the story. She keeps the pacing of the show on a tight leash, weaving quickfire machine gun segments with heartfelt pleas to keep us enraptured throughout. The small stage never feels small - she creates the locales of her room, the laundromat, restaurants where she has her dates, and more with nothing more than a shift in her gaze and a change in her physicality. Aided by a few simple props which add just the right touches to form a visual landscape, the piece exemplifies the best Fringe theatre pieces - efficient in storytelling, sharp in delivery, but always big on heart.
Adrian 35 days ago
Diana's play, Don't call me China Doll, is one of the best performances I've seen in recent times. It tackles significant issues in a fun, entertaining, and exceptionally classy manner. From the moment the show begins, it radiates charm, and you can't help but smile throughout its entirety.
Despite being a one-woman show, Don't call me China Doll feels like an ensemble performance. Diana skillfully introduces and interacts with a variety of characters, effortlessly transporting the audience to different places and times. Her seamless transitions and dynamic portrayals make each scene vibrant and engaging.
What sets Don't call me China Doll apart is its unique approach to storytelling. The blend of humor and poignancy creates a truly memorable experience. Diana's talent shines through as she navigates complex themes with grace and wit, leaving the audience both entertained and thoughtful.
In essence, Don't call me China Doll is a truly unique show that I can't recommend enough. It's a testament to Diana's skill as a performer and storyteller, making it a must-see at the fringe festival.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.