Produced by Cathy Lam Arts Creative, Ah-Ma (meaning grandmother) is a one-woman show in which our main character recounts fond memories of her grandmother who has since been diagnosed with dementia. Written and directed by Cathy Lam Patrie, this show is based on her experience with her own grandmother. Ah-Ma features as a part of Asia Base at the Edinburgh Fringe – a project that highlights talent from Hong Kong and Taiwan – aiming to share Asian art with an international audience.
Kasen Tsui performs as our main character, using storytelling and movement to act as both the grandmother and the granddaughter. Kasen plays this role with dignity and thoughtfulness, basking in moments of quiet and taking her time to really take in her imaginary surroundings. Subtle movement is also used well by Kasen to narrate the memories, with physical comedy being scattered delicately amongst the piece. A favourite moment of mine had to be when Kasen described how her grandmother would leave on the bus to visit family every year for the New Year – we saw Kasen acting out her character as a little girl, chasing the bus down, sobbing. Cathy Lam’s direction here was perfect, and Kasen’s melodramatic impression of the child was incredibly humorous – her fake run and collapse to the floor was as she described, “like a k-drama”.
This play is strung together with memories, each one holding great significance. From her grandmother’s village being burnt down, to her inability to read and write, this play highlighted many issues of social and cultural importance. Cathy Lam’s writing is delicate and clever, making seemingly small details of memory hold great significance. For example, we see our main character sneak into her ah-ma’s room and discover notebooks filled with Ah-ma’s name written over and over. She thinks that this is perhaps what holds the core of Ah-ma’s being. As her Ah-ma begins to deteriorate over time, she begins to question what it is that makes a person – it is not legal documents, or possessions, or even memory – it is something much deeper – love perhaps? This was a beautifully touching play that once again showcases the rich layers and deep thoughtfulness that Asia Base brings to their work – on the surface this is a simple storytelling show, but there is something much richer to it, something that reaches right to the heart.
Ah-Ma runs until the 19th of August at theSpace @ Niddry Street with tickets available at https://www.thespaceuk.com/shows/2025/
Reviewer: Jessie Martin
Reviewed: 2nd August 2025
North West End UK Rating:
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