“Love the ‘Tea Deal’!” - Judy Waddell, Vancouver

Seven Tyrants Theatre presents the exciting sequel to last summer’s outdoor roving historical fairytale, taking audiences of all ages through the beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown.

“I liked it again this year and I’m really hoping there’s a next year”                                                                                               - Jo Ledingham, Vancouver Courier

June 18 - August 30 2009

Every Thursday and Sunday at 7:30 pm (doors at 7 pm. Rain or shine!)

At the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall St, Vancouver

Tickets: $20

Students/Seniors: $15

Special Family Rate: $45

To purchase tickets, contact the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden at:

604.662.3207 ext 0

Starring Joann Liu, Minh Ly, Elwin Xie and Troy Anthony Young

Written and Directed by Daniel Deorksen and David Newham

Created by Daniel Deorksen, David Newham and Richard Sung

Enlist in the exciting adventure! Join Captain Woodfellow as he returns to the Scholar’s household to learn last year’s tea deal may be in jeopardy. Help decide the fate of our venture as the Emperor’s grip on foreign trade tightens and opium rears its ugly head in Suzhou.As the crew of an East India Company expedition, enjoy live traditional Chinese music, sip Oolong tea and stroll through the Scholar’s breathtaking Gardens to where The China Tea Deal began!

“Beautiful work from the heart” - Trevor, Phoenix, Arizona

“It was really great!” - Stephen Stehr-So, Age 10

“Morally complex…strong acting and something to think about” - OUTtv Blog

Journey with us back in time to the year 1701…

Still solidifying its power in China, the Qing Dynasty now faces an unprecedented flood of European trade. Before long, the Chinese begin to realize these ships from the west have brought more than they bargained for.

In London, the East India Company faces the most tumultuous time in its history. With its eastern monopoly threatened by interlopers who have gained the support of parliament, the Company’s directors will stop at nothing to ensure trade supremacy…

Don’t miss your chance to join the crew this summer!

 

About the origins of the Opium trade in China

From The China Year Book, 1916:

It was not until the middle of the 17th century that the practice of mixing opium with tobacco for smoking purposes was introduced into China. This habit was indulged in by the Dutch in Java, and by them taken to Formosa, whence it spread to Amoy and the mainland generally….In 1729, when the foreign import was 200 chests, the Emperor Yung Ching issued the first anti-opium edict, enacting severe penalties on the sale of opium and the opening of opium-smoking divans….Opium was now contraband, but the fact had no effect on the quantity introduced into the country, which rose to 5,000 chests in 1820; 16,000 chests in 1830; 20,000 chests in 1838, and 70,000 chests in 1858.

About the East India Company and the Tea trade with China

From Tea Muse Monthly Newsletter, John Company and Tea’s arrival in England:

…on the last day of 1600, “for the honour of the nation, the wealth of the peoples, the increase of navigation and the advancement of lawfulle traffic,” Elizabeth chartered the Honorable East India Company. John Company, as this group came to be called, was granted a monopoly on all trade beyond the shores of the Atlantic, east of the Cape of Good Hope and west of Cape Horn. This organization of wealthy merchants was to play a central role in the creation of the British Empire. Over the years to come, its far-reaching powers would be extended even further. It was granted the right to acquire territory, coin money, maintain armies and forts, form foreign alliances, declare war, conclude peace, and try and punish law breakers. And as the basis of its power, the John Company was to become the biggest and mightiest monopoly in any commodity that the world has ever known. That commodity? Tea.

For information about The China Tea Deal 2008 click here