Simon Wu is a published playwright and recognized screenwriter in London (United Kingdom) and Hong Kong.

 

The Curse of the Five Elements - Fire

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Broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on 27 November 2024 at 2.15 pm

 

A dynamic and atmospheric murder mystery set in imperial Song (or Sung) Dynasty, 960 - 1279 A.D. The protagonist, Judge Bao (999 - 1062) was a real person, the illegitimate child of an African father and Chinese mother. He became the most famous judge in Chinese history, a legend featuring widely in Chinese folklore.

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On the wedding night of a well to do family, the groom is murdered, his bride vanishes - linked to a five-element curse (fire, metal, water, wood, earth). By chance, Judge Bao is in town on his way to his own family and finds himself swept up investigating a mystery that unexpectedly reveals secrets from his past.

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While travelling, Bao has made friends with Tiger, a Tangut soldier. He came for the wedding of his best friend, Master Chi - the man found dead on the night of his wedding. Rumour is that he was killed by the missing bride who happened to be a courtesan. A courtesan who might be more interested in his money than him. Logical, right? Not until Bao finds out that she is the most famous courtesan in the city - the Virgin Courtesan, who refused to sleep with any clients, a risk no courtesan dared to take.

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Tiger is beyond consolation. Is he just a friend? Apparently a Black Christian missionary once cursed the Chi household, saying that members of the Chi family will each be killed by the five elements – fire, water, metal, wood, earth. Is this murder just the beginning? This house is full of secrets, and everything is not what it seems. Since the dead man Master Chi is related to the royal family, one wrong step may cost Bao’s head - literally a life and death situation.

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Cast:
Judge Bao ..... John MacMillan
Tiger ..... Jon Chew
Ping Ping /Manager ..... Emma Fischer
Lady Fan /Little Wind/Miss Wu ..... Liz Sutherland-Lim
Master Ming /Liu Yong ..... Jeff D'Sangalang

Writer, Simon Wu
Original Music, Ruth Chan
Director, Shan Ng
Sound Designer, Eloise Whitmore
Illustration, Yanki Darling
Xiqin player, Li Yan Wen
Production Manager, Darren Spruce
Executive Producer, Polly Thomas

A Naked production for BBC Radio 4.

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Radio Times by Fiona Hughes

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"A charismatic investigator; a family with secrets; and the brothel above the Dragon Tea House are main ingredients of Simon Wu's engrossing drama."

 

​Feedback from social media - Curse of the Five Elements (Fire)

"So many twists and turns!"

"The story was superb and so were the actors. Bravo Simon... keep writing."

"Definitely one of the best radio 4 productions I've listened to."

"The story was superb and so were the actors."

 

Feedback from social media of Previous radio play - Disappearance of Mr. Chan

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"Really enjoyed the play.  The structure was great and the plot gripping. Well done."

​"Love the light and shade - aunty and her pineapple biscuits in the midst of unrest."

​"That was so cleverly done."

​"Eye-opening and poignant."

​"The Icarus metaphor really worked for me.  Well done."

​"Brilliant play, very well crafted."

​"Beautifully scripted and directed."

​"Very moving and with a suitably ambiguous ending!"

​"I can highly recommend it.  Well done."

​"Found it moving, cuttingly controversial with the recent happenings in Hong Kong and am actively recommending that anyone who hasn't heard it, make all attempts to do so! Absolutely brilliant."

​"Really engrossing.  The end bit was very moving with the millions flying across the sky.  Well done giving a voice to such an important theme and its dilemmas.  It remindes me of old cold war dramas - brave individuals and artists vs the unyielding, all-powerful state.  Tragic and scary.  Great stuff."

 

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