Tuyền Đỗ
ACTOR . . .writer . . .
This is me
by tuyen do
So they told me write from what you know from deep within your heart then they told me write about anything about anyone about anywhere then they told me wow you’re interesting that voice it’s new, it’s unique it’s a first stick to that then they told me oh no not another family people from somewhere else being here being other oh no not again so I told them this is me my unique voice this is love this is loss beginnings and endings struggle and triumph tenderness and hurt then they told me no you should write about anyone from anywhere dealing with anything you should be able you should be able you should be able you’re more than this then they told me oh no not another couple about people from somewhere else being here being other but that voice it’s new, it’s unique it’s interesting stick to that so I told them this is me my unique voice my love my loss my darkness and my light my violence and my healing touch then they told me no we want that other story from your other place the place you came from not here being other but the other being there the other struggle the other hurt the other violence the new, new unique voice so then I screamed and I railed and I scratched out my eyes and pulled at my face and turned out my skin and clawed at the beating of my heart until there was quiet until there was nothing until there was death in silence but in the darkness came tiny whispers they came to me in a dream from the past and the future and everything in between this is you this is you this is you and this is your place this is your other from somewhere else and here descended from somewhere else and here carved deep in the lines of your face and your hands and your eyes and the deep crevices beside your mouth this is you this is you this is you the infinite place of love and loss and envy and hate and rage and dirt and loathing of life and death and hope and light and kindness and growth and healing this is you this is you this is you this is me this is me this is me this is me. My name is Tuyen Do. I am an actor and writer of mixed Vietnamese and Chinese descent, born in Vietnam, raised in the UK. And this is me.
Reviews
'Glows with the colour and depth of its characters. Do reveals herself as a sophisticated and empathetic chronicler of people, personality and pain... her scenes are rich, well-rounded and believable... a beautiful, honest, heartfelt portrayal of the British Vietnamese diaspora.' - ★★★★ The Stage
'Like a collection of individually captured moments in one huge family album... there are also real moments of tenderness... a realistic and accurate reflection of how memory often works in fragments and flashbacks.' - Time Out London
'An intimate domestic drama, sketched with compassion and steely honesty.' - The Guardian
★★★★ The Upcoming “Summer Rolls is fresh, dynamic play”
★★★★ My Theatre Mates “An impressive debut”
★★★★ Broadway World UK "On the evidence of this debut, there'll be much more to come from her pen"
★★★★ Ham&High "impressively lucid writing'
“Do’s writing is fresh” Lyn Gardner, Stagedoor
PRESS
Reviews
‘A dazzling and joyous celebration’ i-D
‘Dazzling . . . East Side Voices is a thoughtful, painful reminder of the grand narratives that get buried under belittling stereotypes’ Bidisha, Observer
In this bold, first-of-its kind collection, East Side Voices invites us to explore a dazzling spectrum of experience from the East and Southeast Asian diaspora living in Britain today.
Showcasing original essays and poetry from well-known celebrities, prize-winning literary stars and exciting new writers, East Side Voices takes us many places: from the frontlines of the NHS in the midst of the Covid pandemic, to the set of a Harry Potter film, from a bustling London restaurant to a spirit festival in Myanmar. In the process we navigate the legacies of family history, racial identity, assimilation and difference.
Edited by Helena Lee, founder of the East Side Voices cultural salon and Acting Deputy Editor of Harper’s Bazaar. Featuring writing from: Romalyn Ante, Tash Aw, June Bellebono, Gemma Chan, Mary Jean Chan, Catherine Cho, Tuyen Do, Will Harris, Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, Claire Kohda, Katie Leung, Amy Poon, Naomi Shimada, Anna Sulan Masing, Sharlene Teo, Zing Tsjeng and Andrew Wong.
ABOUT
A brand-new collection of original audition pieces written by and for actors of colour, commissioned by Tamasha Theatre Company and edited by Titi Dawudu, with a foreword by Noma Dumezmeni.
Hear Me Now is a unique collection of over eighty original audition monologues, expressly created by a range of award-winning writers brought together by producer Titilola Dawudu and Tamasha Theatre Company. They're ideal for actors of colour searching for speeches for auditions or training, writers, teachers, and theatre-makers who are passionate about improving diversity.
The book provides varied, nuanced stories that expand beyond the range of existing material available - from a cross-dressing imam, the first black Prime Minister, the British Indian girl moving to Nashville with dreams of becoming a country star, or the young black boy who loves baking as much as football - Hear Me Now is an essential tool for actors of colour to showcase their range, and seeks to inspire, empower, and create a legacy for generations to come.
“I was using the same monologue for auditions, for years. With this book, I’ve been able to have choice.”
Drama student, 20, London