THE MADONNA OF ASIA
アジアのマドンナ
亞洲麥當娜
The New Theatre, Dublin, 2026
In association with LemonSoap Productions
Once Asia’s brightest star, Rin Asari (Mai Ishikawa) was poised for global fame with the release of her first film in English. But soon after, she vanished. It’s 2014. Rin, in her forties, lives quietly in Dublin. By chance, she connects with Tara (Clare Barrett), a woman living in Hong Kong, bringing up the past she has tried to forget. When Rin receives an offer to return to the screen, she must confront what she left behind.
Inspired by the golden age of Hong Kong cinema, THE MADONNA OF ASIA weaves together live performance, vibrant projection and multilingual storytelling. Moving between myth and memory, this piece traces a woman’s journey from icon to exile – and back to herself.
Supported by The New Theatre, Dublin City Council, Irish Theatre Institute, PROPEL Programme with Strollers Network and Rough Magic Theatre Company
Roles: Writer, Director, Set, Costume and Video Designer, Graphic Design
“A beautifully staged production... The sensibility is romantic, melancholic, nocturnal and very appealling.”
- The Irish Times
“The interaction between live performance and video is frequent and striking, creating moments of quiet theatrical magic... By blending theatrical and cinematic techniques, they cultivate a hybrid form that expands the possibilities of both mediums—visually and aurally. The result is an inventive night at the theatre.”
- No More Workhorse
“[A] dazzling play… Sublime video design.” ★★★★
- Chris McCormack, Feeling Good Substack
Team
Mai Ishikawa as Rin / Rin's Mother (Japanese)
Clare Barrett as Tara
Kaai 可藍 as Serina
Agnes Hui 許雅名 as Miss Lai /
Rin's Mother (Cantonese) / Host
Jun-Ling Clarke-Ng as Newsreader
Writer, Director, Set, Costume & Video Designer:
Choy-Ping Ní Chléirigh-Ng 吳彩萍
Script Translation:
Japanese: Mai Ishikawa
Cantonese: Agnes Hui 許雅名
Script Developed Through a Workshop With:
Clare Barrett & Mai Ishikawa
Lighting Designer:
Matt Burke
Sound Designer:
Lara Gallagher
Dance Choreographer:
Yumi Lee
Fight Choreographer:
Niamh Hogan
Hair & Makeup for Serina:
Tee Elliott
Producer & Dramaturg:
Ultan Pringle
Outside Eye:
Eoghan Carrick
Production Manager, Video Assistant, Video & Sound Op:
Jack Leitch
Chief LX & Lighting Op:
Emma Brennan
Lighting Op:
Ais Flattery
Publicity:
Conleth Teevan
Photo Documentation:
Aiesha Wong
Video Documentation:
Colm Higgins
With thanks to Avram Rosewood, Boca Del Lupo, Carol Clarke-Ng, Carys D. Coburn, Chi Wai Ng, Colm Deans, Connolly Books, Conor Burnell, Dublin Municipal Theatre at Smock Alley, DU Players, Emily Long, Emmanuel Okoye, Eoin Kilkenny, Eve D'Alton, Fearghus Ó Conchúir, Gloria Ng, Hansun Lamb, Hiram Harrington, Jasmine Chen, Jem Perks, Jennifer Lau, Jessie Doyle, Kodie Rollan, Lea Laake, Liadán Roche, Liam McCarthy, Lianne O'Hara, Lisa Nally, Lora Hartin, Luke Casserly, Luke Dalton, MAKE Programme 2025 (with Cork Midsummer Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival, Project Arts Centre and Performing Arts Forum), Noel Murphy at QLX, Pavilion Theatre, Project Arts Centre, Richard Neville, The Samuel Beckett Theatre, Siobhán Slater, Sonya Lindfors