'Cambodia Agonistes' at the West End Theatre

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre presents Cambodia Agonistes, a new musical with book and lyrics by Ernest Abuba and music by Louis Stewart focusing on the civil war years of Cambodia under the rule of the Khmer Rouge and the genocide of the 70's.

Cambodia Agonistes opens at the West End Theatre on the 2 Nov 2005, following previews from the 29 Oct and running through to the 20 Nov 2005.

Through traditional Cambodian dance, puppetry and an original score of 20 musical numbers, Cambodia Agonistes tells the story of a traditional Cambodian dancer, suffering psychosomatic blindness who is found wandering the streets of New York. In her attempt to overcome her personal horrors and her homeland�s history she must make an enormous sacrifice.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Khmer Rouge's rise to power in Cambodia, one of the most violent regimes of the 20th century. Under their rule, an estimated 1.7 million people were destroyed.

The cast for Cambodia Agonistes, directed by Tisa Chang, features: Lydia GastonRon NakaharaJohn BarayAriel EstradaRebecca Lee Lerman, Virginia Wing, Derek Wong and special dance master artist Sam-oeun Tes, formerly a dancer of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia.

The musical has set design by Kaori Akazawa, costumes by Carol Ann Pelletier and lighting by Victor En Yu Tan.