Benevolence (Tarragon Theatre, 2025) photos by Jae Yang.
Set and lighting design by Echo Zhou. Video design by Kevin Matthew Wong.
Benevolence
A Tarragon Theatre production,
presented in association with
Why Not Theatre and Broadleaf Creative
Creator, Director, Video & Projection Designer - Kevin Matthew Wong
Set & Lighting Design - Echo Zhou
Assistant Lighting Designer - Sara Szymanski
Sound Design - Chris Ross-Ewart
Assistant Sound Designer - Olivia Wheeler
Video Assistant & Editor - Noel Pendawa
Dramaturg - Yizhou Zhang
Stage Manager - Tara Mohan
Apprentice Stage Manager - Kayleigh Mundy
Apprentice Consulting Director - Jackson Nair
Sold out run at Tarragon Theatre
April 8 - May 4, 2025
Tarragon Extraspace, Toronto
Benevolence is a theatre play forming one part of Broadleaf Creative’s “Benevolence Series” celebrating Hakka stories, which includes a theatre production, short documentary, and an art installation.
ABout the PLAY:
Like many people, Kevin’s always wondered about his roots.
Kevin is Hakka (客家)…he thinks.
Out of the blue, he gets a phone call asking him to write a play about Hakka identity. For seniors. In Markham.
From theatre creator, performer and video artist Kevin Matthew Wong comes a charming and intimate story that transforms into a layered Chinese-Canadian tale spanning continents, migrations, and generations.
Reviews
“an absolute delight on every level
....
Wong has given us a much-needed life-affirming theatre play as an antidote against a troubled world. Benevolence is serious, touching, and amusing all at the same time, and should not be missed.”
“Rich in emotional texture and cultural reflection, the production is a kaleidoscope of memory, identity, and heritage
...
Benevolence is a moving meditation on what it means to belong — to a family, a community and a culture.”
“BENEVOLENCE is an ode to the joy of discovery of the self through others. Touching and funny, earnest yet practical, Wong’s play is a small gem with a flowing, well-crafted narrative and crystal clear characterization. Between Wong’s clever direction, creative visual surprises, and warm, eager stage presence, I have rarely felt more welcomed.”
Supporters and Funders
Benevolence has been developed through residencies with Why Not Theatre, Tarragon Theatre, and the Centre for Drama Theatre and Performance Studies. Benevolence has been generously supported by the Toronto Arts Council and Ontario Arts Council.
Touring
Benevolence is available for touring starting in Fall 2025.
Contact broadleaftheatre@gmail.com for more information.