Synopsis
A Guide To Being Immortal is a heartfelt play that explores dynamics between friendship, control, holding on too tightly and inevitable loss. The play blends humour, myth and drama to ask the question when do we let go and move on.
Ash and Zeph have been friends since Grade 3 where Zeph became enthralled with Ash’s knowledge of all things Chinese mythology, rituals and practices. The dynamic duo then create a Guide to Being Immortal to keep track of all the ways they can achieve immortality and one day go on an adventure to put their guide to the test.
They eventually make it to China to explore parts of the guide, but lurking beneath the joyous trip is a terminal diagnosis for Zeph upon his return home.
A year after the trip, Ash has moved in with Zeph to look after him and Zeph adjusts to a new life with his assertive friend. However, what starts as a temporary stay eventuates to a longer term arrangement as the friends now navigate the inevitable separately and together.
Characters
Ash
Ash is a 27-years old Chinese person who thrives on structure, solutions, and staying one step ahead. Ash’s love language is acts of service—researching herbal remedies, rearranging furniture for optimal luck, and finding obscure clinical trials no one asked for. Even when in-between jobs, Ash knows how to hustle. Meticulous, fast-thinking, and fiercely loyal, when faced with the prospect of Zeph dying Ash is ready, they will stop at nothing to ensure that all avenues for a cure are explored, and every moment left with Zeph is one to remember.
Zeph
Zeph is a 27-year-old gay male, who loves to go along with the ride and is constant awe of Ash’s intelligence. Growing up, Zeph spent countless hours at Ash’s house absorbing everything possible about Chinese culture, especially when it came to after school dumplings. Zeph’s love language is quality time, which means they are always up for an Ash scheme even if Zeph doesn’t really like the activity. However, that all comes to a head when Zeph’s time is quickly running out and would rather stay home tending to his new garden rather than the exhausting adventures laid out by his bestie.
Creatives
Writer: Shane Woon
Director: Margot Fenley (margotfenley.com)
Ash: Ellie Chan
Zeph: Sean Yuen Halley
Assistant Director: Elliot Wood
Lighting Designer & Operator: Oscar Lanigan
Sound Designer: Jack Wilburforce
Photos & Reviews
Photos
Swoony: Playwright 