stage left: it’s time
Sometimes Y Theatre
September 26, 2025
TEXT CONTENT FROM GRAPHIC ABOVE
Title of show: It’s Time
Run dates: September 26 - October 5, 2025
Performance venue: Teesri Duniya Theatre - Rangshala Studio
Give us an elevator pitch of your show.
The rise of China, the fall of America, cultural stereotyping, sexism, and a new world order. An intentionally provocative portrait of the complex, divided, interdependent and explosive relationship between these two giant nations.
Large themes come in small packages in this two-hander about a Chinese businesswoman who fires an American businessman at an international financial services company in Hong Kong during the global financial crisis of 2008.
A tour-de-force showcase for actors Shiong-en Chan and Paul Hopkins, guaranteed to provoke and enrage, while entertaining and thrilling audiences with a play for, and of, our time. Set amidst the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, this award-winning script delivers interwoven narratives spanning the fallout of personal and global consequences, staging the murky connections between pairs of Chinese businesswomen and American businessmen. The world premiere of It’s Time will be mounted at Teesri Duniya Theatre’s Rangshala Studio on rue des Pins. Directed by Sophie Gee, who recently directed the wildly well-received Three Women of Swatow at Centaur Theatre, will bring her acclaimed approach to directing this piece - the decompartmentalization of disciplines, the convergence and interaction of theatre, dance and performance.
What is your favourite part of this production?
There are many great lines in the play but my favourite line might be when Sun-Yi says "I'm not some peasant who has risen beyond her station. This is my station." Sun-Yi is very aware of the challenges she faces as an Asian woman in a male dominated American company, and yet she has succeeded through hard work, intelligence - and some deception.
In a sentence, tell us about the vision or the message for this production.
This play is about the ruthlessness of capitalism and power, and the shifting of power. Capitalism seemingly values hard work and intelligence (the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality) without recognizing that we do not all start on a level playing field; some people are born to more privilege than others. For those looking to get ahead in this system but who start off with less privilege in this sexist and racist world, they must work even harder and find other ways to get a leg up. In a system that rewards ruthlessness, how can those below rise to the top and what happens when they do?
How has the current social or political climate influenced this production?
We were certainly aware of the relevance of this piece while we were rehearsing. The play is set almost twenty years ago and yet the US and China are more economically intertwined and the relationship is more fraught than ever. Trump has initiated a trade war with China, saying that he wants the US to 'decouple' from China. Even though we are looking at the micro level of this relationship through four business people, I felt that it was important that at a certain moment, the play zooms out to the national level and fast forwards to bring audiences to the situation between the two countries today.
What has been this production’s greatest challenge?
The play takes place in two very different settings - the office of an asset management company in the tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong and the office of a handbag factory in Shenzhen. Because the play moves quickly, and two actors play four characters, I did not want the actors to move from one set to another. Set designer Maryanna Chan and I decided on a liminal, symbolic and minimal space which can be used for both, with the mood and colour tone of each space shifting through lighting.
BONUS QUESTION: Which character in the show would you most want to grab a drink with?
I would love to drink with Kathy, the handbag factory owner. She is sharp and doesn't hold back her thoughts. She reminds me of many Chinese aunties I know.
It’s Time
By Sometimes Y Theatre
From September 26 - October 5, 2025
At Teesri Duniya Theatre, Rangshala Studio