This is a story telling the journey of lost children embarking on the search for their identities. How much to not take for granted amid wars? Should nations learn from each other, how much conflict could've been minimized? Different places, different cultures, different ideologies. Is war inevitable? Does it suffice to be the cause of war that Tyrrenia looked down on Chandoria's way of governing?
Trafalgar Maras, born in Chandoria, as an abandoned child, he was found and adopted by Maria and her husband Newton during one of their expeditions. Traf is gifted with outstanding, almost abnormal imagination. He has always wondered where his real parents are. Growing up in Maras’ family, he’s always felt a certain distance from the people around him so he never really felt he belonged but felt like he’s being placed unwillingly at a place he never chose to be. His dream is to go to Chandoria and find his parents. However, that is not possible due to the intensification of the war not long after he was adopted.
Justine, as well, was born in Chandoria but her goal is not quite as the same as Traf. Of course, it is one of her pursuits, but rather, she is convinced that life is more than just one destination but the present surroundings. Of all the unknowns of the world, she prefers to understand Chandorians’ way of thinking, culture, system and history. Perhaps by doing so, the two nations will achieve peace. She needs not cling to just one even though it’s her birthright to find out about her parents. Amidst such long lasting war, she believes her parents are dead, or, perhaps, she’s better off believing that.
Erkek Maras, the blood-related son of Maria, born before she adopted the other two. He is fascinated by tales of war, especially the origin of Tyrrenia’s rise. He’d read books about the art of war and trains in various martial arts just to become a true hero of the nation in the future.To his siblings’ dreams and their unanswered questions, he feels helpless and unrelatable.
Story starts when Maria writes her last words for her children, expressing her regrets and last hopes for each one of them. She states that “Grief carves us hollow, and that hollow is where love echoes.” Staggered by the pain of living by herself seeing all her children leaving, she chooses to remind her children that love always remains to save us no matter how much pain has been imposed by grief. Afterwards, the letter is picked up by Erkek who’s in the Tyrennian army uniform with her absence.
In this world full of death, do we lose sight of what's beauty? Or do we see it clearer?
這是一個關於迷失兒童從內裡世界與外在世界尋找自我的故事。在戰爭中要珍惜的人事物有幾多？如果國家能夠互相了解，可以避免多少爭執？出生的地方不同，文化不同，意識形態也不同，戰爭是無法避免的嗎？帝蘭尼亞人藐視禪多尼亞的制度，難道這也可以是發起戰爭的原因嗎？尊重何在？
在19世紀中，一個單親家庭，有兩個收養的兒女，一個親生的孩子。自從她丈夫-牛頓-在帝蘭尼亞與禪多利亞之戰喪命後，瑪利亞獨力養起了這三個孩子。這兩個國家因為地理之間的島眾多，令這兩個國家陷入長久多年時冷時熱的資源鬥爭。
托拉法魯加 · 馬拉斯，在禪多利亞出生，作為棄嬰，他在有一次牛頓跟瑪利亞的遠征被發現且收養。他擁有超於常人的想像力，而且他從小就想知道他的親生父母的去向與拋棄他的原因。他的夢想就是重回舊地，在禪多利亞找到他的親生父母。不過在他被收養的不久之後兩國再次陷入戰亂，他與馬拉斯家族只能留在家鄉。牛頓這個爸爸對他並沒有什麼關懷。始終生於敵國，在帝蘭尼亞當兵當英雄根本就是不可能的。在帝蘭尼亞，只有是本土人才能當兵，這是不能改變的法律。牛頓在收養他的時候彷彿受感化，了解到禪多尼亞長期敗於帝蘭尼亞的秘密。
賈斯丁 · 馬拉斯，在禪多利亞出生，同為棄嬰，與托拉法魯加一同被收養。可是比起托拉法，她的夢想不只是尋找她的根，而是探索所有的知識，禪多利亞人的文化，思想，制度和歷史，就此達到兩國和平共存。她相信與其糾結於尋找她被遺棄的原因，不如享受人生，活在當下，尋求知識。因為她小時候的經歷，長大以後覺得人生出來就是獨立的。不需要特別去探究根這回事。
艾爾格 · 馬拉斯，在帝蘭尼亞出生，是家族裡唯一親生的兒子。在其二被收養之前已經出生。他鍾愛關於戰爭的故事，尤其是帝蘭尼亞崛起的故事。他愛做的事就只有讀兵法書跟學拳。對於他弟弟妹妹的夢想，他一點都不能明白而且同情，覺得跟他不相干。可是他倒是很享受找托拉法打架來欺負他和跟這個沒血緣關係的妹妹搞曖昧，也因此經常招來托拉法的不滿。
故事的開始在瑪利亞在寫給她孩子的遺信，抒發她對於每一個孩子的遺憾跟希望，並說“哀傷會挖出我們一個空洞，這個空洞是愛迴響的地方。”對於三個孩子離巢的痛苦，她選擇提醒他們無論哀傷產生出來的痛苦有多痛，愛總會留下來救贖。其後，瑪利亞不再，披上帝蘭尼亞軍服的艾爾古回家找到這封信。
在這個死亡經常發生的世界，我們看得清楚什麼是美麗嗎？還是反而更通透了？
"And yet, Traf's departure had turned Mama into someone I'd never known. As if a nightingale no longer hums like one but rather sounds like the screaming of a crow. GO AWAY! YOU'RE IN MY TERRITORY. The nightingale said."
Gallery
photo by Famos Productions
Performances
BTS
LAWLESSSTROKES X BLUE BOTTLE:
THE ORIGINAL PLAY
On January 15, 17 and 18, 2026, Andy Law, both the playwright of Blue Bottle and the founder of Lawlessstrokes combined his work to make theater at Teatro Latea in New York City. From using one of his paintings, originally titled "What She Didn't Say," transforming the woman in the picture into a character named Justine Maras, an orphan who's adopted by a single mother among survivors in a war-torn world.
Justine became a shadow figure manifested as a painting in her brother and the protagonist, Trafalgar's mind because of his lingering obsession for his sister in the past. The play explores how Trafalgar confronts the curse of his past and reconcile with his unrequited love for Justine.
Top: Andy Law
Bottom: Zoé Fonck
Photography by famosproductions
UPCOMING/PAST PERFORMANCES
September 26, 2026
ACT UP FEST with Shadow Cat Theatre
Act Up Fest is a bold celebration of storytelling, showcasing a curated lineup of powerful monologues performed by some of Hong Kong's most exciting local actors. Featuring classic, modern, contemporary, and original works, audiences will experience a diverse collection of voices, characters, and perspectives—each brought to life through compelling solo performances that entertain, challenge, and inspire.
From heartfelt dramas to sharp comedies, Act Up Fest highlights the artistry of performance in its purest form, giving actors the stage to captivate with nothing but their talent and a great story. Whether you're a theatre lover, an industry professional, or simply looking for a unique night out, this festival promises an intimate and unforgettable theatrical experience.
January 2026
15, 17, 18
The New York Theatre Festival was founded back in 2012 as a nurturing ground for emerging playwrights, musicians, and performers. Over the past decade-plus, it has grown into a beloved staple of the city’s theatrical scene, showcasing over 1,500 plays and hundreds of musicals. The festival has also awarded substantial cash prizes to help artists continue their journeys. In essence, it’s become a cherished launchpad for fresh talent and inventive stories in the heart of New York’s theater community.
Venue
The Hive Studios
Kennedy Town, Hong Kong
Teatro Latea
107 Suffolk St Suite#413, New York, NY 10002
