91Èȱ¬

A dynamic and atmospheric murder mystery set in imperial Song (or Sung) Dynasty, 960 - 1279 A.D. The protagonist, Judge Bao (999 - 1062) was a real person, the illegitimate child of an African father and Chinese mother. He became the most famous judge in Chinese history, a legend featuring widely in Chinese folklore.

On the wedding night of a well to do family, the groom is murdered, his bride vanishes - linked to a five-element curse (fire, metal, water, wood, earth). By chance, Judge Bao is in town on his way to his own family and finds himself swept up investigating a mystery that unexpectedly reveals secrets from his past.

While travelling, Bao has made friends with Tiger, a Tangut soldier. He came for the wedding of his best friend, Master Chi - the man found dead on the night of his wedding. Rumour is that he was killed by the missing bride who happened to be a courtesan. A courtesan who might be more interested in his money than him. Logical, right? Not until Bao finds out that she is the most famous courtesan in the city - the Virgin Courtesan, who refused to sleep with any clients, a risk no courtesan dared to take.

Tiger is beyond consolation. Is he just a friend? Apparently a Black Christian missionary once cursed the Chi household, saying that members of the Chi family will each be killed by the five elements – fire, water, metal, wood, earth. Is this murder just the beginning? This house is full of secrets, and everything is not what it seems. Since the dead man Master Chi is related to the royal family, one wrong step may cost Bao’s head - literally a life and death situation.

Simon Wu’s work has been widely published, performed, and broadcast in the UK and Hong Kong. His play The Disappearance of Mr. Chan was broadcast on 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4 in 2020. He co-wrote three radio plays—Looking for Stones, Bare Branches, and Demolition Man— for 91Èȱ¬ World Service. His online radio play Diwali and Curry featured in the Urban Scrawl project. Simon’s plays have been performed at venues such as Soho Theatre, Greenwich Theatre, Oval House, Tara Arts, and the Decibel Festival. His stage play Wolf in the House was performed by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre in 2015, and his play Oikos is published by Oberon Books.

Cast:
Judge Bao ..... John MacMillan
Tiger ..... Jon Chew
Ping Ping /Manager ..... Emma Fischer
Lady Fan /Little Wind/Miss Wu ..... Liz Sutherland-Lim
Master Ming /Liu Yong ..... Jeff D'Sangalang

Writer, Simon Wu
Original Music, Ruth Chan
Director, Shan Ng
Sound Designer, Eloise Whitmore
Illustration, Yanki Darling
Xiqin player, Li Yan Wen
Production Manager, Darren Spruce
Executive Producer, Polly Thomas

A Naked production for 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4.