Opera, drag, K-pop and personal stories intertwine in Mr. Yellow to create a multi-layered queer cabaret performance exploring the images, fantasies and projections that continue to shape Asian-perceived masculinity to this day.

The dance performance examines colonial, racist and gendered stereotypes, asking how the figure of “yellow” masculinity has been historically constructed – and what new, empowering narratives are possible today. With humor and critical insight, colonial images of desexualized, feminized Asian men intersect with contemporary pop-cultural references such as K-pop and the global “manosphere.”

The international team – including drag artist Vivienne Lovecraft and trans tenor Holden Madagame (USA) – works in a queer-feminist, postcolonial, and interdisciplinary way between cabaret, concert and performative research.

Why does Asian-perceived masculinity remain often invisible or distorted in European imagery, narratives and stages? Which historical fantasies – such as the fear figure of the “Yellow Peril” – persist? And what happens when pop cultures like K-pop make new forms of masculinity visible?

All performances are relaxed performances, with surtitles and German Sign Language performance and interpretation. 

Artistic direction, choreography, direction, performance Olivia Hyunsin Kim
Artistic direction, video Jones Seitz
Costume design Kristin Gerwien
Costume & set collaboration: Luca Plaumann
Set design: Leo G. Alonso
Music, composition Klaus Janek
Lighting design Leo G. Alonso, Lou Oelrich
Artistic collaboration Giulia Fornasier
Dramaturgy Marielle Schavan
Performance Vivienne Lovecraft, Holden Madagame
Performance, accessibility consultant Hyemi Jolee
DGS interpretation Aniella Tiedje, Mille Jepsen
Audio description Swantje Henke, Birgit Martini
Production management Christo Schleiff
Technical direction Lou Oelrich
Photo documentation Mayra Wallraff
Video documentation Noam Gorbat
Press Sarah Rosenau