Source: School of Foreign Languages
Written by: Wang Zhongliang
Photo by: Wei Donghua
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

The Sun Yat-sen University Center for English-language Creative Writing welcomed Ms. Pearlly Chua and Mr. Chin San Sooi on May 30-31, 2015 for two workshops and the one-woman play Emily of Emerald Hill.

Pearlly Chua gave an animated workshop on May 30. She interpreted and analyzed the development of the Character Emily Gan in Emily of Emerald Hill by relating to her family background, her experience, the emotional highs and lows in her life. She selected some scenes in the play and guided the participants to act them out. 

In the workshop on May 31, Director Chin San Sooi focused on the power of voice. He taught the participants how to breathe and speak by using the diaphragm. During the workshop, the participants experienced the coloring, tone and rhythm of words and had a better understanding of their voices and the effect of the voice. 
 

Pearlly Chua performing the one-woman play Emily of Emerald Hill at SYSU
 

On the evening of May 31, with simple props such as a few chairs, some clothes and a basket, Pearlly Chua enthralled the audience by the one-woman play Emily of Emerald Hill. She presented Emily at different ages through varied accents, intonations, facial expressions, gestures and costumes. 

After the play, Pearlly Chua answered questions. She made it clear that it did not matter what she thought of Emily as a woman; what was important was what her performance had made the audience think and feel about the story. Emily of Emerald Hill is a story of survival. Is Emily hypocritical, dominant, virtuous, adorable or lamentable? Perhaps everyone has his/her own answer in mind.  
   
The event was organized by Prof. Dai Fan, Head of English Department and Director of the Center. Students from South Campus and Zhuhai Campus of Sun Yat-sen University attended the event.