Snow in Midsummer: The Silence

What if…we tell the whole story, in complete silence? 

Yu Theatre Society proudly presents its Spring 2025 production - an experimental mime, Snow in Midsummer: The Silence. Original story by Guan Hanqing; Mime adaptation by Nathan Zhe, Lizhe Xu; Co-Produced by Viven Ma, Nathan Zhe and Directed by Nathan Zhe. 

Adapted from The Injustice of Dou E or Snow in Midsummer by Guan Hanqing, a famous playwright in the Yuan Dynasty of China. Snow in Midsummer: The Silence reconstructs this classic tragic story in the form of pantomime superimposed with shadow performance. The soul of Dou E, who died unjustly, tells her biological father Dou Tianzhang how she was forced to confess under the silence of her cowardly mother-in-law, the frame-up of the bully Zhang Lu'er, and the beating of the corrupt official Tao Wu, and was forced to become a murderer and beheaded in public. 

Yu Theatre Society’s Snow in Midsummer: The Silence, invites you on an evocative journey of light, shadow, and silence. Reflecting the miserable situation of the lower-class individuals who are at the mercy of others and have no place to complain; Unveiling the oppressive ideals of chastity and the rigid ethics rooted in feudal education during China’s Yuan Dynasty—a force as corrosive as poison, eroding the lives of women and the underprivileged alike.

Snow in Midsummer: The Silence will run from January 13 to January 18 at Baby Grand Theatre, Kingston Grand Theatre. With a Masked-Encouraged Performance on January 16 and a Relaxed Etiquette Performance on January 18 at 2:00pm. The total running time of Snow in Midsummer: The Silence is approximately 50 minutes with no intermission.

Accessibilities:
Saturday, January 18th at 2:00pm - A Relaxed Etiquette Performance offers a welcoming environment by relaxing traditional theater rules. Audience members are free to move, make noise, or exit and re-enter as needed, with adjusted lighting and sound levels to reduce sensory intensity. This ensures an accessible experience for all.

Thursday, January 16th - A Masked-Encouraged Performance promotes a safe and comfortable environment by encouraging audience members to wear masks throughout the show. This practice is intended to accommodate those who may feel more at ease in a masked setting, enhancing safety and inclusivity for all attendees. Masks will be available at the Front of House for those who need them, ensuring everyone can enjoy the performance with peace of mind.

For detailed information on the accessibility features of the Grand Theatre, please visit their Accessibility page: https://www.kingstongrand.ca/visit/accessibility

Content Warning:
- Scenes of Violence
- Scenes of Death
- Scenes implying sexual assault

Atmosphere:
- The use of a snow machine as well as intense sound and lighting effects

PLEASE NOTE: Before the show begins, there will be a recreation of a ritual intended to summon spirits. You are invited to participate in it but it is voluntary - you do not have to if you do not want to. 

To accommodate those who need access to the script, an easy-read will be included in the show program.

The field of accessibility in theatre is constantly evolving. To make sure that we can do our best in creating an accommodating space for you, please let our Accessibility Coordinator know if you have any other questions/comments/concerns that you do not see reflected here: Catriona, at 20cvd3@queensu.ca. 

For any inquiries about Yu Theatre Society, please contact the Yu Theatre board, at yu.theatresociety@clubs.queensu.ca. 

For any urgent inquiries about box office, ticket selling and concerns. Please contact Kingston Grand Theatre 613-530-2050 and/or Co-Producer: Viven Ma, at 21rm48@queensu.ca. 

Yu Theatre Society acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat. Many Indigenous Peoples continue to call this land home and act as its stewards.