Pearlly Chua read for Speakeasy

Last updated:2014-05-20

The Sun Yat-sen University Center for English-language Creative Writing welcomed Pearlly Chua on Friday, May 16th as the 8th international guest of the center's reading series, Speakeasy. Ms. Chua enthralled the audience by reading excerpts from the ne-woman play, Emily of Emerald Hill, which Chua has been performing for over 20 years. The play, based on the book by the same title written by Stella Kon, engulfs the audience inside the heavy arms of Mrs. Emily Gan and her struggle to live, love and thrive in the patriarchal systems of the early-mid 20th century.

At the reading, Pearlly answered questions, distributed candy, and invited the audience into her deep Malaysian culture. Chua, herself, is a nyonya and understands the complexities within the Chinese culture as well as those within the Malaysian culture. Students asked questions regarding acting, culture, and creativity. Chua's reading transported the audience into Emily's tangled world.

The event was organized by Dai Fan, Head of English Department and Director of the Center, and received support from Chen Chunsheng, Executive Deputy Secretary and Vice President of SYSU. Rachelle Escamilla, co-founder of the center's reading series, Speakeasy, was emcee for the night. Members of the Consulate-General of Malaysia Guangzhou were present and students from the South Campus and the Zhuhai Campus attended the event. The audience was also dotted with members of the faculty and friends of the Center.

Pearlly Chua expressed her deep gratitude to the University and the Center for providing her a space to read and hopes to come back with a full production of Emily of Emerald Hill in the near future.


For more information about The Sun Yat-sen University English-language Center for Creative Writing please visit the website at www.creativewritingchina.com.


Written by: Rachelle Escamilla
Photo by: Wei Donghua
Proofread by: Pearlly Chua
Edited by: Wang Dongmei