Ep 81: Golden Lotus

Host Luisa Lyons chats with writer and composer George Chiang and actor Harriet Chung, the creator and star of the multi award winning musical Golden Lotus. Based on the influential, and often controversial, Chinese novel Jin Ping Mei, Golden Lotus was developed in New York and Toronto before premiering in Hong Kong in 2014 where it was filmed live. It is now available to stream on Stratfest at Home.

Learn about the controversial banned novel Jin Ping Mei, the fascinating international story behind the development of Golden Lotus, how the show became Hong Kong’s first original musical, the process of filming, and the surprising rewards of entering the capture of the musical into film festivals.

George Chiang is the acclaimed writer of Golden Lotus, winner of the Heckler’s Award for Best Original Work in Hong Kong. The feature film adaptation of Golden Lotus has secured over 60 international film awards, including Best Picture at the World Independent Cinema Awards in Edinburgh. As a multi-award-winning songwriter, director, and producer, George's works such as “A World Away (Remix)” have earned accolades like Best Song and Best Music Video. As an actor, George returns to the Stratford Festival this season to perform in Salesman in China.

Harriet Chung, born in Hong Kong, is a celebrated performer whose illustrious career includes groundbreaking roles in The Phantom of the Opera in Toronto and Cats in Hamburg. She starred in Golden Lotus, garnering numerous Best Actress awards internationally. Harriet’s debut single, “A World Away (Remix)”, won Best Original Song at the Hollywood Gold Awards, and her debut album, A World Away, has achieved critical acclaim. Her performances have earned her multiple Best Music Video awards. Harriet will make her Stratford Festival debut in 2024, performing in Salesman in China, continuing her streak of distinguished contributions to theatre and music.

Show Links

• Golden Lotus: https://goldenlotusthemusical.com/
• George Chiang: https://www.georgechiang.org/
• Harriet Chung: https://harrietchung.com/
• Watch Golden Lotus: https://stratford.vhx.tv/golden-lotus-the-musical

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Filmed Live Musicals is created by Luisa Lyons, an Australian actor, writer, and musician. Luisa holds a Masters in Music Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now lives, works, and plays in New York. Learn more at www.luisalyons.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.