Writer Eileen Zhang examines an Electra complex reaching dangerous maturity in a pre-war Shanghai destined for communism. Lin’s adoration of her father finally erupts in the wake of her twentieth birthday, when her mercilessly excluded mother tries to arouse an interest in boys, her fellow students, even communist demonstrations in her daughter, anything to divert her from her sexual flirtation with incestuous disaster. When Fengyi begins an affair with a girl of Lin’s age, all are painfully aware that he’s attempting to channel his own illicit desires into a slightly more acceptable infidelity.
Lin’s refusal to accept the reality of her adulthood is mirrored by her banker father’s blind insistence on the capitalist future of 1930s China, and Zhang plants ample and horribly credible psychological germs for the diseased family portrait she paints. But playwright Simon Wu’s adaptation falls short of unearthing its dynamism. Only Tina Chiang as the beleaguered Chinese wife brings the difficult admixture of complicity and disbelief convincingly to the stage. And director Shan Ng signally fails either to shift time forwards or illustrate key spikes in the tension. Zhang’s disturbing story remains a truly wondrous discovery, but this stage adaptation falls disappointingly flat, failing to hit any truly dramatic nerves.
What a wonder! I completely agree with the fellow who described this as a hidden gem. A superbly presented and performed portrait of a family in turmoil. It moved me. Well done and thank you to all involved.
With an understanding of the Chinese psyche, the creative team have sensitively conveyed the conflict between old China and the 1930's liberalisation in Shanghai. The playwright has treated the subject matter with delicacy without losing the inner struggle of the lost souls; the lyricism of the writing makes it all the more poignant. A wonderful and provocative play.
Posted by
Graham - visiting from Hong Kong
on
12 Jun 2008 13:01
I really liked this pa. The tension that built up throughout the play realy came across well in the intimacy of Ectcetera. The mother was excellentand I found myself close to tears at the end of her final scene with the daughter. The father very nicely expressed his tension between his temptation to give way his sense of propriety. The daughter's performance evoked an authentic Chinese girl of that period.
Loved this play - really well written and some intense acting. And a great chance to learn more about Ayling Zheung (I really liked the film 'Lust Caution' from another of Zheung's short stories). Great to see London Chinese theatre taking risks like this. Cool in Camden.
A little gem hidden away in the black box of the Etcetera Theatre - blew me away. An intense portrait of a Shanghainese family being torn apart at the same as China itself is falling apart. Tight writing by Simon Wu, a playwright to watch.
A great vignette. The actors' handling of a difficult subject matter was impressive, they created a strong sense of empathy and left me with very strong, but very different, feelings towards all of them.
8 comments
What a wonder! I completely agree with the fellow who described this as a hidden gem. A superbly presented and performed portrait of a family in turmoil. It moved me. Well done and thank you to all involved.
With an understanding of the Chinese psyche, the creative team have sensitively conveyed the conflict between old China and the 1930's liberalisation in Shanghai. The playwright has treated the subject matter with delicacy without losing the inner struggle of the lost souls; the lyricism of the writing makes it all the more poignant. A wonderful and provocative play.
I really liked this pa. The tension that built up throughout the play realy came across well in the intimacy of Ectcetera. The mother was excellentand I found myself close to tears at the end of her final scene with the daughter. The father very nicely expressed his tension between his temptation to give way his sense of propriety. The daughter's performance evoked an authentic Chinese girl of that period.
Loved this play - really well written and some intense acting. And a great chance to learn more about Ayling Zheung (I really liked the film 'Lust Caution' from another of Zheung's short stories). Great to see London Chinese theatre taking risks like this. Cool in Camden.
A little gem hidden away in the black box of the Etcetera Theatre - blew me away. An intense portrait of a Shanghainese family being torn apart at the same as China itself is falling apart. Tight writing by Simon Wu, a playwright to watch.
A great vignette. The actors' handling of a difficult subject matter was impressive, they created a strong sense of empathy and left me with very strong, but very different, feelings towards all of them.
I have to say the play was a truly remarkable rendition of the story by Eileen Zhang.
The subtle delivery of a very controversial subject only goes to show how talented this bunch of young blood really are! Bravo!
Really enjoyed this. A taut family drama from the writer of Lust Caution that plumbs the depths of emotional trauma. Very strong acting all round.