Nüshu: Written for Her, On Her, By Her
The Great Her (UK/China)
Rewrite her stories. Write her. A one-of-a-kind multidisciplinary
performance rooted in Nüshu, the secret script of Chinese women. In this
ritualistic solo work, Jiayi Chen uses her body as a living scroll,
inscribing ancient characters onto her skin with traditional ink.
Through live body calligraphy, inspiring contemporary dance, and an
original soundscape, the piece becomes a haunting altar of memory,
grief, and feminine resistance. The piece is a tribute to the missing
women in Jiayi’s life, and a bold act of rewriting silenced histories
through the body, voice, and art.
‘Thoughtful and sincere… A
beautiful mark that lingers… Nüshu stands out for its intimate, personal
and poetic rhythm... I left feeling reflective and quietly uplifted’
(Edinburgh-Reviews.co.uk)
‘A defiant distillation of stories into
something simple, stoic, and deeply affecting’ (Scotsman)
‘I
would recommend it to anyone looking for something fresh at the Fringe
this year’ **** (The Student)
‘A delicate, shadowed world
gives way to a story of resilience and voice’ **** (Scottish Field)
Created,
Written and Directed by | Jiayi Chen
Produced by | The Great Her
CIC
Executive Producer | Ronny Gale
Producers | Lintong Zhang,
Ying Yang
Stage Manager | Henry Gale
Designed by | Ash Lab Art
Studio
Composed by | Zhenqi Zhu
Language Performed mostly in English but with some Nushu
Dates 17-30 August 2026 at 14:00
Format Live in-person
-
Dance Physical Theatre and Circus
-
£8.00 - £12.00 -
17-30 August 2026 -
40 minutes -
C ARTS | C venues | C aquila -
temple -
8+ (guidance) -
Audience participation
