by ExxonMobil Campus Concerts Crew

落叶归根 (Luò yè guī gēn) Getting Home by Cheryl Ho is a one-woman show that captures the struggles of an ambitious artist as she balances her passion towards her calling with her sense of longing and duty towards her family. The EMCC Crew sat down with Ho to find out more about her inspiration behind and experience in creating the show.

Kudos to you for doing a one-woman show! Can you share a bit more on how it was like and any particular reason you chose to do a one-woman show?

Thank you! It was a really intense process but my team and I were very well supported by SIGNAL young creatives lab. SIGNAL provided funding, producing and mentorship help in writing and directing of the show. The writing and concept started in January and really ramped up in October and November. Due to the restrictions, we could not confirm a theatre venue for the filming and had to film it in my living room. And only one visitor was allowed to any house at that time, so we filmed the whole show with just the Rachel and I. We were very fortunate as we managed to loan equipment from a Theatre company that Rachel and I were working with in the month before, and managed to borrow 4 other cameras from friends which helped with the multi-cam set up. It was an extremely steep learning curve, lots of fun and not a lot of sleep.

A one-woman show was one of the goals I had for a while and set it as a goal for 2020 (which led me to INSISTING that I had to do the show that year despite the constantly changing restrictions and never-ending lockdown in Melbourne). I think as an actor it posed a challenge performance wise that I wanted to take on and as an emerging writer, it gave me the ability to really experiment with form and storytelling. With the content of the show, of Hui Yi (the main protagonist) being alone in a different country, it also made sense to me that it was a one woman show.

As an actor, it posed a challenge performance wise that I wanted to take on. As an emerging writer, it gave me the ability to really experiment and storytellin. With the content of the show, of Hui Yi (the main protagonist) being alone in a different country, it also made sense to me that it was a one woman show.

Which scene did you enjoy most in Luo Ye Gui Gen and why?

I loved Char Bor Gardening, mostly because of the props we used and how we shot that scene. It was Rachel and I having fun with the props and lights. Also because the character of Hui Yi (and I) really enjoy nature and that scene was one attempt to solve the crazy anxious mind of ours, so shooting that scene was in some way a respite haha.

What had inspired you to write this show?

Funnily enough, before COVID happened, I always had this fear that an apocalypse would happen and I’d be stuck in Melbourne with no way to know if my family were okay or if I could return.  And that was my starting point really. I was also constantly torn between my ambition of being an artist and my desire to be with family. I’ve been based in Melbourne for the past 5 years and always find myself missing family yet wanting to escape from the familiar to pursue my dreams. I almost decided not to do the show last year, but after hearing stories of friends being in similar situations, and with the pandemic forcing people to confront the possibility of ‘forgoing’ their dreams for some security, I felt led to push through to share my story.

Where do you usually draw your inspiration from as an actor, maker or in your voice works?

Everyday life really haha. As an Actor, I feel like there are always aspects of you that you can find in a character, and that’s where I often build from. As a Maker whether be it for Theatre, voice works or any other medium, it always stems from questions I have in my life. Whether it’s something that has been troubling me, or something I’m simply curious about. I also get a lot of inspiration from books, Pinterest, images or happenings I see everything. A huge part of my practice is observation and noticing and making art from that.

And finally, what do you miss most about Singapore?

Friends, Family and Lei Cha Fan (Thunder tea rice). I’ve found ONEEEE place that sells it in Melbourne but I’ve yet to try it… mostly because it’s been closed and has very limited opening hours, BUT I WILL TRY IT SOON! 

My insta handle is @cherylhohoho and my website is cherylhohuiee.com

Catch 落叶归根 (Luò yè guī gēn) Getting Home between 27-28 February as part of the ExxonMobil Campus Concerts for a chance to speak with Cheryl live. Click to Register