Legendary is the multi-layered musical storytelling piece by Cheeyang Ng, weaving Chinese myths and legends together with their own family history, queerness and search for identity before ultimately creating a new legend of their own.
The show succeeds in no small part due to Ng’s wonderful ability as a storyteller. Ng has a remarkable ability to make these ancient stories feel immediate, painting vivid pictures with their words while using music to shift effortlessly between courage, tenderness and contemplation. The legends are never told in isolation with Ng enlisting the audience to sing refrains back to them. It doesn’t feel like conventional audience participation; instead we become part of the stories themselves.
The stories told also feel deeply personal to Ng with numerous personal conversations with their parents explored from both highs and lows from their history. Ng is equally candid when discussing their queerness and the ways this has shaped their relationship with their father, their choice of where to call home and their hopes for the future.
Ng also has an innate ability to make an audience member feel as though they are being spoken to directly, whether through individual audience members becoming part of the story or by asking everyone to write a short note to their inner child. Somehow, without exchanging a single word with the majority of the audience, Ng creates an incredibly personal connection. is remarkable. I found myself unexpectedly moved as the show reached its conclusion and a new legend was created, not just for Ng but for everyone in the room. There is something quite extraordinary about a show that can take stores that began centuries ago, weave them through one persons perspective and somehow leave you feeling that you have become part of the story too.
Legendary is on at Underbelly Bristo Square at 15:35 – 16:50. You can find out more on their website.
If you like this review of Legendary you might also like my review of The Real Kyle McCarren, Bliss and Acid’s Reign.