My overall impression
The Women of Tu-Na House is the type of show that needs to be put out more. You hardly hear from the perspectives of the Chinese delivery man to the Latin maid or any blue collar types that most people see on a daily that no one thinks about. Here you have Nancy Eng and her colorful characters dishing out their stories about working in a brothel.
The show is daring and funny as hell. What really did it for me were the references of HB Studios in New York City. One of her character talks about her experiences with the Johns and how they get caught off guard that she does not speak with an Asian accent. So, to be more “authentic” she enrolls in HB Studios for acting classes to better serve her Johns to fancy their stereotypes. The other reference is Sam Hui’s Tsim Sha Tsui Suzy blaring out the speakers. Being that I was born in Hong Kong, one of the character’s story about working from there and how she was made famous from her work in that town.
All the characters were well written and developed – so more humorous and some other dead right serious. The only thing that would improve the show is the stage setting and production. Perhaps having a stage prop like a Japanese screen (adding kitsch to the brothel) would help the performer change costumes between characters much easier and it holds the audience of what she might come out next.
