Margaret Leng Tan: Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep
A work that sweeps across the senses, Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep is a sonic portrait of new music icon Margaret Leng Tan – an evocative exploration of memory, time, control and loss.
New York-based Singaporean pianist Tan forged a path as a major force within the American avant-garde, becoming a muse to giants such as John Cage and George Crumb, and transforming the toy piano into a serious instrument.
Her stellar career covers 40 years of experimental musical innovation, using overlooked objects and instruments to bring new meaning to her compositions and performances.
Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep combines spoken and recorded text, projected images and original music for prepared piano, toy piano, toys, and percussion by Tan’s long-term collaborator Erik Griswold, to present a powerful autobiographical performance of Tan’s personal life and the music that has shaped her career.
Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep won the 2021 Australian Art Music Award for Work of the Year (Dramatic Category).
Credits
Margaret Leng Tan musician/performer
Erik Griswold composer
Tamara Saulwick director
Kok Heng Leun Drama Box dramaturg
Nick Roux video artist
Andy Lim lighting design
Yuan Zhiying costume design
A co-production by Chamber Made and CultureLink Singapore
Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep was commissioned by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and Asia TOPA
Supported by National Arts Council Singapore
Need to know
Access
Audio Description is available during the performance on Saturday 25 May. To use this service, please let a member of the team know when you arrive so that we can organise a headset for you.
There is a Touch Tour available before the event on Saturday 25 May. Touch Tours give people the opportunity to touch the sets, props and costumes to familiarise themselves ahead of the performance, and may be particularly good for blind and partially-sighted visitors.
To attend or register your interest in the Touch Tour, please select this option as an add-on when booking tickets. Further details will be sent closer to the performance date.
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
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For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
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