IS THERE WORK ON MARS?
Can an Asian with a math learning disability pass Nylon Tusk’s Mars Immigration Test?
A "Black Mirror(-like)” (Morning Star) one-woman show set in an absurdist testing lab of dystopian speculations
In an attempt to move to Mars through the Worker’s Visa, a Chinese woman with ADHD and dyscalculia finds herself in SpaceY’s testing lab, only to encounter an ableist and racist mix of bleep tests, personality quizzes and job interview questions. She fights through with her wide array of talents——striptease, beer pong and cheerleading——to not be the Asian failure who is just never enough.
IS THERE WORK ON MARS? had a successful 5-star run at Edinburgh Fringe 2024 and was nominated for the ADHD Comedy Award by Neurodiverse Review. The show returns in 2025 with new conceptual explorations.
2024 Edinburgh Fringe Neurodiverse Review Awards – Nominee
★★★★★ “Impressively genuine… Feels like an experimental episode of Black Mirror.“ Morning Star
“A thought-provoking play that accurately depicts the insipid structure of immigration systems... Packs a definite punch.“ A Young(ish) Perspective
Creator and Performer Faye Yan Sound Design Pannavich Weswibul & Charlie Nelson. Director Nomakhwezi Becker Dramaturg Joanna Matthews Production Support Pannavich Weswibul Image Design Pannavich Weswibul Audio Description Consultant Lily An Poster Photographer Amy Lauffer Neff Show Photos Edline Hsieh & Maggie Zhu
With Special Thanks to Ricky Sim, Sol Santana, Jessica Zhao, Yuyi Ye Caro Lutz, Runxuan Yang,
Past Performances
Southbank Centre “About Us Showcase“: 15 Dec 2024
Contact Theatre, Manchester: 27 September 2024
Edinburgh Fringe Festival: 12 - 24 August 2024
Camden Fringe Festival: 31 July 2024
Peckham Fringe: 24 - 25 May 2024
Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Audience Reviews
“Incredible!! Thought provoking content beautifully told.” Grace
“It's such a rich show and truly the representation that is missing in our society AND AT THE FRINGE!” Yola Lu
“In this dystopian drama, that mixes theatre with dance and also has the feel of an art installation (I mean that as a positive!) This gently disturbing show is one of the reasons I love the Fringe … How often do us Brits get to hear/see what a young Chinese woman thinks / feels about life? …her dreams, her fears and her future…?” PJ Vickers
“Her portrayal of a neurodiverse individual struggling with absurd immigration requirements felt incredibly authentic, evoking strong empathy and memories of similar experiences in my own life!!” Yuqiu Wang
“Really well constructed, and full of provoking questions, it comes across as an all too real future. To cover AI , Musk, institutional racism, Mars, neurodiversity and body ownership deftly in one short show is astonishing.” Martin Burroughs