After the success of "The fabulous history of George Müller", a show performed in front of more than 5,000 spectators in French-speaking Switzerland in 2020-2021, the King's Kids are back at it again, this time adapting the story of Gladys Aylward, the little English maid who went to China in the 1930s:
More than 70 artists on stage and backstage, two and a half years of preparation, a thrilling historical context, a touching and inspiring story...
Come and discover the adventures of Gladys Aylward, the little English maid that no mountain could stop!
Gladys Aylward was born in 1902 in North London, and worked as a maid from her teenage years. When the vocation to become a missionary took hold of her, she was accepted by the China Inland Mission to follow a preliminary course, but her marks were insufficient and she failed. Gladys decided to go out on her own and saved whatever she could by working as a housekeeper and doing extras. On 15 October 1932, she took the train to Yangcheng, in the Shanxi province of China.
Once there, the little English maid had a considerable impact on the village and the region that welcomed her, participating in several social reforms. In particular, she was commissioned by the local mandarin to work as a "foot inspector", travelling around the countryside to enforce the new law against the binding of Chinese girls' feet.
In 1936, Gladys Aylward, much appreciated by the Chinese population, became a citizen of the Republic of China. She adopted several orphans, opened schools, intervened in a prison during an explosive riot and advocated prison reform. In 1938, the region was invaded by Japanese forces and Gladys Aylward, although wounded, set out with over 100 orphans to bring them to safety across the mountains.
Gladys Aylward's story was the subject of a 1950 Hollywood film starring Ingrid Bergman, "The Inn of the 6th Happiness".
Set to music for the first time, this is the story of an extraordinary woman who risked her life many times to help those in need. Be transported by the talent of actors, singers and dancers of all ages, in a show full of emotion.
Performances :
3-4 June 2023 in Yverdon
September, October, November 2023 in various cities in French-speaking Switzerland
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