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David Yip

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David Yip
Yip at the British Library in 2022
Born
David Nicholas Yip

(1951-06-04) 4 June 1951 (age 73)
Liverpool, England
Alma materEast 15 Acting School
Occupations
  • Actor
  • playwright
Years active1973–present
SpouseVirginia Yip
Chinese name
Chinese葉西園
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYè Xīyuán
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingJip6 Sai1 Jyun4
Websitedavidyip.co.uk

David Nicholas Yip[1] (Chinese: 葉西園; pinyin: Yè Xīyuán; born 4 June 1951) is a British actor and playwright. He gained prominence through his role in the BBC series The Chinese Detective (1981–1982)[2] as the first East Asian lead on British television.[3]

His films include A View to a Kill (1985), Ping Pong (1986), and Break (2020). Yip wrote and starred in the play Gold Mountain. On television, he appeared in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside (1989–1990), the CBBC series Spirit Warriors (2010), and the Sky Atlantic thriller Fortitude (2017–2018). He is also known for his voice work.

Yip has given talks and presented documentaries on the Chinese community in his hometown of Liverpool. In 2022, he was awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Essex[4] and Edge Hill University.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Yip was born in Liverpool to a Chinese father, a seaman from Canton, and an English mother from Liverpool. He was one of eight children and had a working class upbringing.[6][7]

After leaving school at 16, Yip worked as a shipping clerk for British Railways for 2 years. At 18, he was offered a job as an assistant stage manager by Teresa Collard at the Neptune Theatre. He participated in local youth productions while working at the Everyman, including one under the direction of Barry Kyle when he was visiting the Liverpool Playhouse. Yip's peers encouraged him to audition for drama school. He got into East 15 Acting School and went on to complete his training in 1973.[8]

Career

[edit]

Yip began his career in theatre. He first appeared on television in an episode of the ITV game show Whodunnit? and the BBC television film Savages in 1975, and an episode of the BBC sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum in 1978. In 1979, Yip played Frank Chen in the science fiction series Quatermass, also on ITV, and had a small part in the Doctor Who story "Destiny of the Daleks".

From 1981 to 1982, Yip starred as the titular detective John Ho in the BBC police procedural The Chinese Detective, making him the first East Asian lead on British television. In a 2022 retrospective of 100 BBC gamechangers, the British Film Institute called Yip's performance "pensive and affecting".[9] After watching him in the series, director Steven Spielberg cast Yip in the opening scene of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as the Jones' past companion Wu Han, marking Yip's feature film debut.[10] This was followed by a supporting role as CIA liaison agent Chuck Lee in the 1985 James Bond film A View to a Kill and a lead role as Mike Wong in the 1986 mystery comedy film Ping Pong.

Yip played Michael Choì in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside from 1989 to 1990. In 1990, he appeared as a contestant on Cluedo, facing off against comedian Tony Slattery. He starred in the 1993 BBC sitcom Every Silver Lining and appeared in the television adaptation of Wilde Justice.[11] This was followed by small roles in the films Goodbye Hong Kong (1994), Hamlet (1996), Fast Food (1998), and Entrapment (1999). He played Assad in the two-parter Arabian Nights, Merv in the film My Kingdom (2001), and Dr Pang in the CBBC series Oscar Charlie.

Yip starred alongside Chipo Chung and Gemma Chan in a production of Turandot. Yip wrote a play entitled Gold Mountain, based on his father's life. It was intended for the Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008 event, but was delayed due to writing problems. It premiered on 6 October 2010, at the Unity Theatre, Liverpool, and was performed again in 2012.[12]

Also in 2010, Yip played Ding-Xiang in the CBBC series Spirit Warriors. In 2013, Yip joined the cast of feature film All That Remains[13] which was released on 5 May 2016. He reunited with Gemma Chan from Turandot in the play Yellow Face at the Park Theatre and then National Theatre.

From 2017 to 2018, Yip returned to the National Theatre for The Great Wave, led the play Eastern Star at the Tara Theatre, and played Hong Mankyo in the Sky Atlantic psychological thriller Fortitude. He also had a voice role on the ABC Kids animated series Luo Bao Bei. He starred in the 2020 thriller film Break.[14]

Personal life

[edit]

Yip is a practising Nichiren Buddhist and member of the Soka Gakkai International. He lives in north Oxfordshire near Banbury[15] with his wife Virginia and their dog Buddy.[16] His brother Stephen Yip stood as an independent candidate in the 2021 Liverpool mayoral election.

Yip only adopted his Chinese name, coined by friends, as an adult whilst working on a movie in Hong Kong.[17]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Wu Han
1985 A View to a Kill Chuck Lee
1986 Ping Pong Mike Wong
1987 Out of Order Policeman
1990 Blue Funnel Daniel Short film
1994 Goodbye Hong Kong Peter Ma
1996 Hamlet Sailor One
1999 Fast Food Mr Fortune
Entrapment Chief of Police
2000 Chinese Whispers — Director, writer
Short film
2001 My Kingdom Merv
2005 Zoltan the Great Dak Short film
2008 Act of Grace Kai
2009 The School That Roared Winnie's Dad
2011 Re-Evolution Councillor
2016 The Sea, the God, the Man God Short film
All That Remains Noburu Nagai
2017 Dystopian: Lovesong Ian Dystop Short film
Emper Zhang
2018 Dim Sum Mr Chen Short film
2020 Break Vincent Qiang
TBA Sigh of the Sea
Dream Hacker Wang Lei

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1975 Whodunnit? Ray Hunt Episode: "Portrait in Black"
1978 Savages Kumai Television film
It Ain't Half Hot Mum Bandit Episode: "The Great Payroll Snatch"
1979 Doctor Who Veldan Destiny of the Daleks; 2 episodes
Quatermass Frank Chen 2 episodes
The Quatermass Conclusion Television film
1980 Spy! Ito Ritsui Episode: "The Tokyo Ring"
The Cuckoo Waltz Mr Ling Episode: "The Neighbour"
The Mystery of the Disappearing Schoolgirls Quintus Television film
1981 Armchair Thriller Denny Episode: "The Chelsea Murders"
1981–1982 The Chinese Detective Detective Sergeant John Ho Lead role
1982 The Professionals Editor Episode: "Discovered in a Graveyard"
1983 Jackanory Storyteller 5 episodes
1985 The Caucasian Chalk Circle Simon Television film
1988 King and Castle Tony Chen Episode: "Dim Sums"
1989 Murder by Moonlight Chang Television film
1989–1991 Making Out Mr. Kim 3 episodes
1989–1990 Brookside Michael Choi 17 episodes
1991 Tatort Chow Hap-man Episode: "Die chinesische Methode"
1992 Rear Window Brilliant Chang / Narrator Episode: "White Girls on Dope"
1993 Every Silver Lining Leonard 6 episodes
1994 Wild Justice Wong Television film
1995 Rich Deceiver Ricky Ramon Television film
1996 Thief Takers Jimmy Mak 2 episodes
Bugs Chaku Episode: "...Must Come Down "
2000 Arabian Nights Assad Miniseries
2002 Oscar Charlie Dr Pang 6 episodes
2003 The Bill Li Chen Episode: "100: Under the Thumb"
2006 Casualty Jiang Guang Episode: "No Way Back"
2008 ChuckleVision Chives the Butler Episode: "The Mystery of Little-Under-Standing"
2010 Spirit Warriors Ding-Xiang 6 episodes
2013 Holby City Raymond Lo 2 episodes
2014 24: Live Another Day President Wei 2 episodes
2017–2018 Fortitude Hong Mankyo 6 episodes (series 2–3)
2018 Lucky Man Tai Jing Episode: "The Sins of the Father"
Luo Bao Bei Grandpa Voice role; 26 episodes
2019 Porters Dalai Lama Episode: "Wedding & Perfume"
2021 Midsomer Murders Fergus Rooney Episode: "Scarecrow Murders"
2022 The Capture Xian Xiaodong Episode: "Made in China"
Pennyworth Zeya Khin 2 episodes

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Silver Cagen
2001 Three Kingdoms: Fate of the Dragon
2003 Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior Ko'vash
2010 Just Cause 2
2012 Brink Additional voices
2013 Lego City Undercover Henrik Kowalski
2017 The Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game
2018 Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Pugnacius English version

Stage

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1973 Decameron '73 Storyteller Roundhouse, London / Manchester Opera House, Manchester
The Man From The East Boy Europe tour
1974 Jack and the Beanstalk Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
1975 Jingo Soldier Aldwych Theatre, London
Raindog Monk / Narrator Roundhouse, London
1976 Noah Shem Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester
Twelfth Night Sailor / Attendant
Antony and Cleopatra Alexas Young Vic, London[18]
1977 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Tragedian / Ambassador
Romeo and Juliet Benvolio
Tobias and the Angel Tobias
Follow the Star Angel Gabriel Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester / Westminster Theatre
1978 Measure for Measure Lucio Avon Touring Theatre Company
1983 Sinbad the Sailor Sinbad Theatre Royal Stratford East
Buried Treasure Toby Wong Tricycle Theatre, London
1983–1984 Peter Pan Peter Pan Darlington Civic Theatre, Darlington
1984 The Knack Tour[19]
1985 The Wizard of Oz Straw Man Kings Theatre, Portsmouth
1986 Made in Bangkok Net Aldwych Theatre, London
1987 Julius Caesar Various Bristol Old Vic, Bristol[20]
1988 Don't Go Away Mad Donmar Warehouse, London
Ear, Nose and Throat Tour
1990 Frauds Johnny Sun Abbey Theatre, Dublin[21]
1991 The King and I The King Manchester Opera House, Manchester
Mother Goose Mother Goose Shaw Theatre, London
1992 White Woman Street Yeshov Bush Theatre, London / Abbey Theatre, Dublin
1993 Three Japanese Women Mr Tanaka Cockpit Theatre, London
1994 The Life of the World to Come Dr Ken Makoto Almeida Theatre, London
Aladdin Aladdin Theatre Royal, Brighton[22]
1997 Hamlet Claudius Singapore Repertory Theatre, Singapore
2006 King Lear Albany / Gloucester Royal Shakespeare Company / Yellow Earth Theatre international tour
2008 Turandot Fi Jeh Hampstead Theatre, London
2009 The King and I The Kralahome Royal Albert Hall, London
Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu Older Chun Yi London Coliseum
2010 Gold Mountain Yee Lui Co-writer
Unity Theatre, Liverpool
2011 Fit and Proper People Frankie Wong Soho Theatre, London
2012 The Bomb: A Partial History Various Tricycle Theatre, London
2013–2014 Yellow Face HYH Park Theatre and National Theatre, London
2017 The Great Wave Takishi / Jiro National Theatre, London
2018 Eastern Star U Nay Min Tara Theatre, London

Audio

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2004 The Inventor of Fireworks BBC Radio 3
2007 Dalek Empire: The Fearless Kennedy Big Finish Productions
Doctor Who: The Girl Who Never Was Curly / Tourist / Inspector Yew
2013 Gallifrey Hector

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "David Yip – Biography". IMDb. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  2. ^ Hill, Dave (12 March 2009). "The Chinese Detective starring David Yip was quality 1980s television drama". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  3. ^ Pak Ling-Wan. "Chinese Detective, The (1981-82)". BFI Screenonline. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Hollywood actor David Yip receives honorary degree". University of Essex. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Pioneering Chinese actor awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his groundbreaking career". Edge Hill University. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  6. ^ "David Yip stars in 'Gold Mountain' at Liverpool's Unity Theatre". Liverpool Daily Post. 8 October 2010. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013.
  7. ^ Clarke, Alan (October 1983). "Interview with David Yip The Chinese Detective" (PDF). Marxism Today. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  8. ^ Rogers, Philip (22 July 2020). "Exclusive Interview with David Yip about 'Break'". Blazing Minds.
  9. ^ Various (27 April 2022). "100 BBC TV gamechangers". British Film Institute. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  10. ^ van den Broeck, Ralph (2003). "Interview with David Yip". The Indy Experience. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Every Silver Lining – BBC1 sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  12. ^ "David Yip On ... Revisiting 'Gold Mountain'". What's on Stage. 10 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Cast Interview: David Yip". All That Remains: production blog. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  14. ^ Beal, Ryan (5 August 2020). "we take a 'break' with stars terri dwyer and david yip". Heyday Magazine. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  15. ^ "Banburyshire actor who has rubbed shoulders with Daleks, Indiana Jones and James Bond achieves a new highlight in his amazing career". Banbury Guardian. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  16. ^ "Biography".
  17. ^ "Chinese in Britain Radio Interviews". British Library. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  18. ^ "TOBIAS AND THE ANGEL by James Bridie". Photostage. 1977. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  19. ^ Lanyon, Iain (1984). "David Yip in The Knack – Poster". V&A Collections. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  20. ^ "David Yip". BBA Shakespeare. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  21. ^ "David Yip". Irish Playography. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  22. ^ "1994 pantomime handbills: Theatre Royal Brighton". Panto Archive. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
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