A chance to reconnect with the world through the ritual of music and tea.

According to the classic Chinese text Tao Te Ching, all life is connected by and originates from the invisible force known as the Tao, which provides a form of natural order. Disharmony emerges when one strays too far from such a natural order, and at times requires a form a guidance to lead us back to the path, and only by returning to the flow will it restore balance in life. And one possible way of doing that is through music, to harmonise and realign what lies beneath.

In their new production, Malaysia’s Shaman Tearoom does exactly that, as they bring their ‘sonic tea ceremony’ experience’ to the Esplanade, as part of the 2024 Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts. Performed by Aiwei Foo and Kent Lee, accompanied by percussionist Yoong How Thong, Microcosm combines improvised music and the art of tea to provide audience members an entry point into greater introspection of the self to better understand the world around us.

As its name suggests, Microcosm is about gaining awareness of the multitudes contained within us, and perhaps allowing the music to resonate throughout the space, and allow us to realise how we all similarly are connected through that simple fact. Seated on the floor of the Esplanade Annexe Studio, we see an array of unusual instruments before us, ranging from a gong to Tibetan singing bowls. In near darkness, the performers step onstage, playing gentle soothing notes, while Aiwei Foo speaks into the microphone, requesting us to take a moment to close our eyes, and look within.

From there, her voice continues but begins to fade into the background, as the music grows, expands, and starts to become a soundscape. Yoong How Thong has a particularly interesting role to play, as he weaves in and out of the audience, utilising instruments such as a Chilean rainstick to emulate the sound of rainfall, a storm starting up as Kent hums and blows into a long wind instrument. Words aren’t necessary, as we allow the music to transport us to different locales and landscapes, from what we imagine to be a lush jungle to a beachside.

Not all is calm – there are times it feels like there is some form of disturbance or cacophony in the air, as the soundscape becomes more agitated, while ground lights send beams upwards, momentarily blinding as they work towards overstimulating the senses. In a way, the structure of the performance seems to mimic the ebbs and flows of life itself, recalling how everything is temporary, that nothing, whether good or bad, lasts forever. All this provides a potent opportunity to lay back and allow it to wash over you, and to simply go along for the ride, all together in the same space as we enter this surreal headspace.

Experimental and improvisational in nature, Microcosm is at times hindered by its set up – the Esplanade Annexe Studio itself isn’t soundproof enough to block out external noise from crowds outside or the concerts at the outdoor stage, and traces of these seep into the space, distracting when one is expected to completely focus on the performance at hand. In addition, by sitting on the floor, the same level as the performers, unless one is sitting in the front row, one’s view tends to be obscured.

By its end, Aiwei pours tea into several cups, and we hear the distinct sound of water flowing, while the music quietens down. It almost feels like coming out of a trance, the taste bringing us back to reality as we sip the tea served. A final strike of the gong signals the end of the performance, and we leave the space feeling a little lighter, more aware of our own senses and perception of the world around us, and perhaps, marking the first step towards bringing us back into balance against this all-too-busy life.

Photo by Lee Jia Wen, courtesy of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Microcosm – a sonic tea ceremony played from 16th to 17th February 2024 at the Esplanade Annexe Studio. More information available here

Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts runs from 16th to 25th February 2024 at the Esplanade. Tickets and full programme available here