She Devil of the China Seas– Audience Guide Content
Environmental Considerations for She Devil of the China Seas
- The performance takes place in the Theatre Off Jackson. It is a smaller theater, seating about 140 patrons. There are two aisles in the theatre, both of which are used by performers during the show.
- The show is approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes in duration. The first act is 90 minutes, there is a 15 minute intermission, and the second act is 35 minutes.
Show Content Considerations for She Devil of the China Seas
- She Devil is a pirate adventure tale.
- The aisles are frequently used for actors’ entrances and exits, as well as for sword fights.
- The are many sword fights throughout the show. These fights include the clanging of swords as they strike each other, grunting of actors as they fight, and deaths of participants during the fights.
- There is a recurring theme of characters interacting with the ancestors during the show. The ancestors possess god-like abilities to interact and impact the lives of the living characters.
- There is a recurring theme of dark magic/energy in the show.
- There are moments of romance during the show.
Key to Symbols
Visual intensity Auditory Intensity Suspense Emotional Intensity
| Show Moment in Chronological Order | Sensory Category | Description |
| Act I | ||
| Prior to the show |  |
There is soft Asian-inspired music and water sounds before the show begins. |
| Scene I |   |
There is a gong sound effect when the ancestors appear. This sound effect continues throughout the show whenever the ancestors appear.
There are lanterns in the audience that light up during the show at various moments. Hei and Tse appear running from pirates Many actors enter the theatre in the House left aisle. There is a sword fight, ending in the death of an actor. When Hei awakens she is in pain |
| Scene II | |
A market scene with actors entering and exiting through both aisles.
Sailors enter through the house right aisle and accost Tse “Eh, just a rat…” Pirates enter the scene and attack Zhang Ngoi. Zhang Nogi threatens a dying sailor to get information. The sailor dies. |
| Scene IV | |
Red lights and a pirate song.
The ancestors call to Tse in a dream sequence. Tse doubles over in pain during the conversation. Jeong enters and taunts Tse. Zhang Ngoi and Tse practice sword fighting.
|
| Scene VII | |
“I said the crew does reflect their captain.”
Sounds of distant cannon fire, red lighting Pirates boarding the Leng-Pah enter the theatre through the house right and left stairs. There is loud sword fighting and death. Two pirates are taken captive. The female captive is leered at by the male crew. Jeong punches the male captive. The male captive screams as he is taken off stage for a gruesome ritual called “the deck”. “He and the captain wore these…” Dark magic talisman are discovered. Zhang Boh touches one and has a seizure. Hei warns of the threat the dark magic represents. |
| ACT II | ||
| Scene III | |
A man with a bat stands in front of the car. Dad instructs Kenny not to make eye contact. Dad and the racist man interact.
“Are you well, merchant?” A pirate and merchant appear in the house right aisle. A sword fight takes place in the house right aisle and the front of the stage with the death of several characters. Jeong and Pui are pinned down by a pirate with a gun. Tse stabs the pirate. We hear a cannon blast. Jeong steps in front of the cannon ball and is mortally wounded. |
| Scene IV | |
Tse feels the weight of Jeong’s impending death on her conscience.
Jeong’s last moments are portrayed and he dies Zhang Ngoi talks to Tse about his first love, and her ultimate death by suicide. |
| Scene V | |
This scene opens with a funeral for Jeong
Pirates enter throughout the house for the grand union. They remain in the house for the scene and they are somewhat loud. Tse discovers that Lay Fong is behind the attacks on Zhang Ngoi. Lay Fong attacks Zhang Ngoi with a knife and slashes him. Tse and Lay Fong fight with swords. During the fight the Ancestor Moh appears, bringing dark magic. There is a thunder sound effect and lighting effects. Lay Fong and Tse both fight the dark magic. Hei enters, writhing in pain. Tse uses the amulet Hei gave her and fights off the dark energy. Tse addresses the assembled captains of the fleet on the deck of the ship. Lay Fong appears to have his hands nailed into the deck of the ship and screams in pain. |
