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Prayers For A Hungry Ghost

KISS WITNESS / Elisabeth Gunawan

— ,The Pit
Woman on orange-lit stage with camera; large projected face creates surreal, haunting atmosphere.

Shattering, sardonic, funny and tender, this ensemble production combines horror, physical performance, live cinema and Chinese mythology to bring audiences into 'the realm of hungry ghosts'.

In Chinese mythology, 'hungry ghosts' are the reincarnated souls of those who were selfish, envious or greedy. These beings have large, insatiable bellies and flames in their mouths, turning everything they eat into ash.

Darkly comedic and haunting, this mesmerising piece of physical theatre is a family drama set in the underworld, exploring the intergenerational trauma born from the pressure of meeting society's impossible standards.

Big Sister and Little Sister's lives spiral in opposite directions: one is a celebrated classical pianist under pressure, while the other succumbs to a mysterious illness that ravages her soul. Can their unbreakable bond help them escape?

KISS WITNESS, a multi-award-winning company led by Barbican OpenLab alumni Elisabeth Gunawan, creates spaces of belonging for those who lack them in real life.

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Young Barbican Members' Theatre Priority Booking More...

Running time: approximately 70 minutes (no interval)

Age guidance: 14 +

This show contains a haze effect, coarse language, sexually suggestive scenes, depictions of violence, themes of bereavement and complex family dynamics, as well as horror imagery that some viewers may find distressing.

This show is performed in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. Surtitles will be available. 

Post-show talk
Thu 30 Oct, free to same-day ticket holders. 

Captioned performance 
Fri 31 Oct, 7.45pm
 

Presented by the Barbican.

Commissioned by Kakilang, with support from ArtsAdmin, Barbican Open Lab and curious directive's HYPOTHESIS retreat.

Creative team

  • Elisabeth Gunawan, Sook Kuan Tang, Daniel York Loh   Performers/Devisers
  • Matej Matejka   Movement Direction
  • Elisabeth Gunawan, Matej Matejka   Directing Team
  • LI YILEI   Sound & Music
  • Erin Guan   Video & Set Design
  • Aya Nakamura   Puppetry
  • Ezra Barnard   Costume Design
  • Elisabeth Gunawan   Writer

Ticket prices

Standard
£20 *
* Excludes £1.50 booking fee

Booking fees

£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.

No fee when tickets are booked in person.

Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.

These accessibility provisions are available for this event.

Captioned

Reviews

  • ‘A standout show. … Elisabeth Gunawan captivates...‘
    The Stage on Unforgettable Girl
  • ‘One of the most original, risk-taking shows on the Fringe‘
    The Reviews Hub on Unforgettable Girl
  • ‘Leaves an indelible mark on its audience‘
    Theatre Weekly on Unforgettable Girl

The Pit

Location
The Pit is located on Level -2 within the main Barbican building and can be accessed via the stairs or lifts on Level G, next to the doors to the Lakeside Terrace. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.

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