abstractSynopsis:
The name of the play is a transliteration of a Hokka expression¡X"mother duck doing a somersault". It indexes the festive quality of the play about a city boy’s home-coming journey. A city boy from Taipei visits his parents’ hometown in a countryside Hokka village during the Chinese New Year. Under the guidance of his uncles and aunts, he re-experiences traditional Hokka culture. Structured along with the passages of four seasons, the play begins with the blossoming season in the spring, followed by a scene of cozy summer afternoon depicting kids playing hide and seek, kicking iron can, fishing frogs and engaging in cricket fight). When the play shifts to a scene of autumn, we are presented with a group of adults busily engaged in harvesting, and a group of kids selling vegetables, feeding chickens and ducks on the side. Right after the fall comes the winter scene, in which we witness a picture of harmonious familial union. Family members, young and old, all enjoy themselves in preparation for the New Year dinner;they knead dough, make dumplings and marinate meat for a Hokka style meal. The performance incorporates Hakka slangs, mountain songs, Hakka fairytales and live interaction with the audience. Traditional Hakka festival elements (e.g. colored ribbon dance, fan dance, and row-boat dance (pao han-chuan) are also included to create a cheerful atmosphere.