Abstract
This chapter uses the concept of minor transnationalism to examine how British Chinese performance can harness the critical potential of physical and imaginative encounters across borders. The analysis focuses on two productions: Anna Chen’s (2009) solo show, Anna May Wong Must Die!, and David Yip and Kevin Wong’s (2010) multimedia performance, Gold Mountain. In investigating the “minor-to-minor” networks embodied in these works, the chapter argues that thinking transnationally does not automatically position British Chinese artists as “foreigners” who do not belong to the national sphere. Instead, focusing on minor transnationalism opens up the analysis of cross-border connections beyond race and ethnicity and positions British Chinese performers as active protagonists who reshape national imaginaries vis-à-vis contemporary globalization.
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Notes
- 1.
Anna May Wong: A Celestial Star In Piccadilly. Written and presented by Anna Chen. Produced by Mukti Jain Campion for Culture Wise. Broadcast 11:30 am, 13 January 2009, on BBC Radio 4.
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Rogers, A. (2018). British Chinese Performance in Minor Transnational Perspective. In: Thorpe, A., Yeh, D. (eds) Contesting British Chinese Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71159-1_13
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