Venue: Crazy Coqs, London
Cast: Roshani Abbey, Desmonda Cathabel, Diya Sohi, Aaron Teoh and Sonya Venugopal

Cheeyang Ng’s Fat, Femme & Asian presented raw emotion and a heartfelt celebration of identity, offering a rare glimpse into queer Asian experiences in musical theatre. Cheeyang invites us into a world that felt both deeply personal and universally relatable.

Cheeyang Ng’s debut London performance, Fat, Femme & Asian, at Brasserie Zedel’s Crazy Coqs was a warm and memorable evening that felt like both a celebration and a homecoming. From the moment we entered the intimate space, there was a sense of excitement and curiosity, heightened by the fact that this was a unique opportunity to hear pieces from Cheeyang’s musicals still in development—a rare treat, especially given that Cheeyang’s work is not yet widely known in the London theatre scene.

The evening began with an invitation for the audience to hum and sing along, which instantly broke down any barriers between the stage and the crowd. Cheeyang’s rapport with the audience was effortless, drawing everyone into the experience and creating a genuine, communal atmosphere. It quickly became clear that this was a crowd of passionate theatre lovers, as evidenced by the enthusiastic and melodious participation that set the tone for an interactive, heartfelt performance.

Cheeyang used the music to tell stories, weaving in personal reflections and life moments that offered insight into the origins of each song. This storytelling brought a layered depth to the music, and it was fascinating to see how Cheeyang’s personal journey as a queer Asian artist intersected with their compositions. Each piece felt deeply autobiographical, with Cheeyang’s heartfelt delivery pulling us into their world of experiences and emotions.

A core theme of the evening was Cheeyang’s dedication to centering Asian narratives, particularly those that have been marginalized or misunderstood. Their music is an empowering reclaiming of identities, celebrating words and experiences that have sometimes been considered taboo. This mission imbued the performance with a sense of purpose, as Cheeyang openly discussed the rarity of Asian-led stories in musical theatre and their determination to change that.

The evening was made even richer by collaborations with several other performers, each of whom brought their own perspective and artistry to the stage within Cheeyang’s work. Highlights included a touching duet with Aaron Teoh and a performance by Desmonda Cathabel, who seamlessly transitioned from English to Mandarin, adding an additional layer of intimacy and cultural depth. These collaborations felt like a natural extension of Cheeyang’s vision, offering diverse perspectives that reinforced the performance’s themes of community and shared experience.

One of the most poignant moments came when Cheeyang performed a song about their relationship with their father, exploring the complexities and challenges of coming out. The lyrics—particularly the powerful line, “You have killed the next descendant of the dragon”—were raw and evocative, capturing the pain and beauty of navigating identity and acceptance within family. Cheeyang has a remarkable ability to use music as a bridge, allowing audiences to connect with deeply personal experiences that they might otherwise never encounter.

Crazy Coqs was the ideal venue for this intimate performance, with its cabaret-style seating and table service contributing to a cozy and engaging environment. The setting encouraged a feeling of closeness to the performers, enhancing the evening’s personal and emotional resonance. This setup was particularly effective for a show like this, allowing each member of the audience to feel immersed in Cheeyang’s world.

Overall, Fat, Femme & Asian was a beautifully crafted and deeply moving evening, filled with a fresh musical perspective that left an indelible impression. Cheeyang’s talent and authenticity shone through, and it will be exciting to see how their work continues to develop. Likewise, Crazy Coqs proved to be a perfect setting for this kind of intimate, heartfelt storytelling, and I look forward to returning to experience more unique performances in this wonderful space.

You can find out more about Fat, Femme & Asian, here.

Review by Alex