REVIEW: Echoes of Nüwa: The Last Human Project - The Imperfect Gods

What if humanity had a second chance—one designed by the gods themselves? And what if those gods were three slightly chaotic muddy lolos, doing their best without a manual?

That’s the starting point of Echoes of Nüwa: The Last Human Project, a funny and clever new play that reimagines Chinese mythology with a modern, playful twist. After Nüwa patched up the sky, humanity managed to mess things up again. Now, the task of rebuilding falls to three muddy lolos, who try earnestly—if not always successfully—to create the perfect human. But things keep going wrong.

Directed by Daniel York Loh and created and performed by Chia-Yi Chan, Jinyu Dan, and Qianyi Wang, the piece blends traditional myth with contemporary storytelling to explore the many dimensions of what makes us human. The premise is simple: the lolos test different “ingredients” in hopes of creating a perfect version of humankind. They begin with “appropriate,” but in the pursuit of perfection, humanity gives up and dies out. Next, they add desire—only to witness greed and slavery. Anger follows, intended to inspire resistance, but leads instead to chaos. Finally, when they add hope and dreams, delusion and war are the result. As the lolos struggle to find the right formula, the same question is thrown to us: What makes a perfect human? What would you do differently?

This existential question is delivered through a lean but effective staging. The set is minimal, featuring one central object: a toilet. It serves both as a viewing portal and disposal chute. The muddy lolos throw their human experiments in, observe the outcomes, and flush them away when things go wrong. It's often hilarious, but also unsettling—a grim reminder that perhaps our own world is just one bad decision away from being flushed, too.

The performances are full of energy and sharp comedic timing. All three actors transition fluidly between roles, each sketching characters with clarity and flair—whether playing silly fetishes, earnest philosophers, innocent lolos, or greasy villains. Their chemistry drives the pace, and their seamless integration of audience interaction (and even an unexpected rap segment) keeps the storytelling fresh and dynamic.

Still, for all its inventive charm, there may be room for deeper development. The muddy lolos themselves—despite being gods—undergo little change. They are flawed, chaotic, and bold from the beginning, and remain so throughout. The story concludes without offering a definitive answer to the question it poses. Perhaps that’s the point: rebuilding humanity is a frustrating and impossible task—even for gods made of mud.

In summary, Echoes of Nüwa: The Last Human Project is a playful meditation on creation, destruction, and the endless loop in between. If you’ve ever wondered whether humanity is progressing or just spinning in circles, this show might not hand you an answer—but it will make you laugh while you try to figure it out.

★★★★

This show is going to Edinburgh Fringe from 1st - 23rd August (no 10th, 17th), information could be found here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/echoes-of-n-wa-the-last-human-project

Creative & Cast

Creator & Cast: Chia-Yi Chan, Jinyu Dan and Qianyi Wang.
Director: Daniel York Loh.
Stage Manager & Sound Designer: Stella Chin-Ting Yang
Lighting Designer: Sandi Wang
Nüwa’s Voice: Jennifer Lim
Machine’s Voice: Christina Martino

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