Shihya Peng is from Taiwan but lives in Paris. Marco Di Nardo is Neapolitan but lives in Berlin. As well as dancing a variety of styles from tango to street, they can argue in at least five different languages. This whimsical, cute and occasionally spiky piece takes in Shihya and Di Nardo’s mutual and separate experiences of multiculturalism, and translates it into part dance, part dialogue. 

After bickering about pronunciation and customs, they move in fluid ripples, each in their own world, then come together to chase and tease each other. He chucks her a pair of shoes and a blonde wig, and she dons them, stumbling painfully, hinting at the discomfort of having to adopt a new identity. Later when they tango though, it’s clear that the potential for absorbing other cultures into our bodies is exciting and dynamic, holding the potential to make us blossom.

^{Pictures: JShurte}

Living a multicultural life is a double-edged sword, and frequently one passage of beautiful, cooperative harmony will turn suddenly into something darker; with a slap, a cruel word, or the recounting of a racist incident. The ‘monchichi’ of the title refers to a monkey toy Shihya’s neighbour in Paris gave to her, because he thought it looked like her. 

The piece doesn’t always reveal its themes quite this clearly, and the essence it’s striving to capture comes through far more strongly in the spoken sections than in the dance, striking as it is. But here are two spirited and generous performers, whose story will resonate with many other peoples across the world. 

The Studio, until 21 August, 2pm.