Toronto Fringe Review: Ancient Dying Chinese Dialect

What if your ancient language is like a hundred duck sized horses spread throughout the world? Well, if you are Chantal Lim, you write a one woman love letter to it, round up some support from the outside, and coral a few of those absurdly tiny horses so no one gets lost for good. 

In 55 minutes, Canadian born Filipina-Chinese comedian Lim, supported by musicians Vonne Aguda and Kavya Rajith, gives a primer on multiple intersecting identities, self acceptance, and how the dialect of Chinese that she and her family speak originated, dispersed and how existentially upsetting its vanishing is. It’s a densely packed show absolutely bursting with love for her family, heritage, and language. Oh, and did I mention it’s funny? 

Lim is comfortable onstage, she engages directly with the audience, welcoming late comers (mostly family members she says) with ease. When things go wrong, and it’s the Fringe so of course they do, it doesn’t rattle her focus. Lim’s genuine warmth and enthusiasm is palpable, the love of her language and what it represents is enthralling without feeling cloying. 

By the end of the show, I had a much deeper understanding of the emotional depth of being connected to language and culture and it’s evolutionary path over thousands of years.

Judging by the laughs of familiarity and cheers from the audience, Lim’s bid for empathy and understanding through humour was a resounding success. I found myself wanting to learn her language in support of it’s survival. 

With Lim’s sparkling and inviting writing and delivery, Ancient Dying Chinese Dialect might just warm your heart and leave you with a phrase to help keep her language alive. 

Ancient Dying Chinese Dialect is on now until July 16 as part of Toronto Fringe. Tickets and show times here.