A scratch play based on a fuller play chronicling migration to Birmingham from China over the past 100 years was performed at two sold out shows in Birmingham for the Mid Autumn Festival.

Solicitor and playwright Ian Henery retold the Chinese creation myth using the techniques of English street theatre but basing the story in 1942 in a farmhouse in Guandong Province, China.  Ian Henery was the former Walsall Poet Laureate and served under 4 Mayors of Walsall to raise money for their respective appeals.  He was also poet in residence of Walsall Parish Church for its 800th Anniversary Year.  

He was also responsible for running the highly regarded ekphrastic poetry collaboration at St Paul`s The Crossing in Darwall Street, Walsall, between local poets and walsall Society of Artists.  The exhibition lasted 6 weeks and went on to feasture for 3 months at the New Art Gallery in Walsall.   

On Sunday 28th September the play was  performed with the New Moon Players in an Arts Council England funded project at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre for the Mid Autum Festival organised by the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee.

"There were two performances" said Ian  "and each show had 775 tickets for sale. The first show sold out quickly. 775 tickets for just one show. Then the second show sold out - another 775 tickets - and people were being turned away at the door! 1,500 people!" 

The production was the Chinese creation myth which featured actors and actresses of Chinese heritage. Following the two sold out performances Ian land the rest of the Players were then invited to perform at the Ming Moon Restaurant in Birmingham`s Chinese Quarter for the Birmingham Chinatown Business Association.

"The venue was also packed" explained Ian  "and it had a different vibe to the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre. We kicked off with some poetry by a Malaysian poet called Sundari and then into the play. It was brilliant - and so was the food afterwards!"