Set in 1990s Hong Kong, Lilies in December is an original story, following Yvonne and Vanessa as they navigate their relationship within the confines of societal and family pressure in an East Asian society. A celebration of diversity and representation, the play explores the unspoken tales of queerness in East Asian culture.
Last year, UCL Drama Society performed the play for two nights at Bloomsbury Theatre Studio, with tickets completely selling out. We sat down with Margaret (Mars) - writer and director - and Vicky - producer - both second year students, to find out more about the play's significance
Hi Mars & Vicky! Could you give us a brief overview of what Lilies in December is about?
Vicky: Lilies in December is a play which is mainly dramatic - but there are a few comedy moment. It was written by Mars, and explores queer love in Hong Kong.
Mars: There was a show called Mentally Ill Gaysians (performed at the New Writing Festival in Summer 2022) that was the main storyline, written by myself and Germaine (also in Drama Society). It was a family drama comedy that we decided to write around Chinese New Year when we went back home - we thought it would be funny to take the stereotypes and run with it. We took two characters out (of Mentally Ill Gaysians) and explored their backstory, and it ended up being focused on the love story between two of the older members of the family – Lilies is about them trying to explore what that relationship is to them and how they navigate through being queer and being lesbians in what was quite a conservative society at the time.
What are the show's main themes?
Mars: After the show, a lot of people came up to me and said they really enjoyed certain parts because it reminded them a lot of home. I realised I actually intended for it to be a show about family in the end. Yvonne desperately wants the relationship, but Vanessa has other priorities – she thinks of her family who are immigrants from Shanghai, and she also thinks about her responsibilities to her family which is quite an important thing, especially in Asian households.
Vicky: It also explores mental health – there are lots of monologues about what (the protagonist) is thinking (…) it’s all out there.
Mars: It’s very dreamlike - it goes between the suspension of reality vs daily life. There are moments you can tell it's reality – lighting dark and harsh – but then in her dream world it’s quite pink, quite purple. I was inspired by Wong Kar-wai, a famous Hong Kong director whose films are amazing!
What's the best part about being in Drama Society?
Mars: This extends to artsUCL in general – you get to experience something that would happen in a professional setting. We have students who direct, write, produce and executive-produce – and that allows you to experience the arts before going into it as a career. The community you get out of it Is the quickest and easiest way to make friends at uni.
Vicky: My experience of Drama Society started in first year when I was approached to produce MIG which was part of the new writing fest. I come from a background of musical theatre so I'd never produced a play before, but I was immediately drawn to it being in an all Asian cast, that was something I really connected with. There was a lot of international students which I was excited about, meeting new people in first year.
What's it like being a leader? What skills do you need?
Mars: Obviously, when you're leading, there will be challenges at times. Directing something you’ve written is diff from someone else because you have your own vision – so u need to communicate it clearly to everyone you’re working with. You have to make it clear what you're looking for and say it in a way that conveys your wishes but not in a way that’s offensive or overbearing. Communication aspect I got most out of it.
Vicky: I completely agree w communication. Outside of UCL I’ve also done directing for musicals – it was good (for Lilies) because I understood what a director needed. General events management is another good skill – producing a show is similar to producing any event.
Lastly, what are you most proud of?
Mars: As the writer and director I’m really proud that I managed to write such a script and that I managed to put it on, especially since we were able to use the Bloomsbury Studio as the venue. It was also sold out for the entirety of the running, which was absolutely amazing! But what I was really happy about was the fact that a show completely about people of colour, especially queer people of colour, and the cast and crew are mostly POC, was able to happen in London, is something I’m really proud of!
Vicky: Working with the performers and my assistant producer and Mars themselves – my favourite part is always collaborating w people and meeting them.
Mars: One more thing – we also managed to do the show in just 11 days (of rehearsal time). I don’t know how we did it!