[NEohioPAL] Berko: TWO PLAY BY GAO XINGJIAN (Cleveland Public Theatre)

[Roy Berko]

CPT:  ‘TWO PLAY BY GAO XINGJIAN,’ well staged, but not
for everyone

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

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Anyone seeing ‘TWO PLAYS BY GAO XINGJIAN,’ which is
now on stage at Cleveland Public Theatre, will
immediately be drawn into a strange world,  a world of
abstract, almost absurdist dimensions, which echoes
the works of Bertolt Brecht, Samuel Beckett and Eugène
Ionesco.  Yes, this is not theatre for anyone looking
for clear messages, traditional staging, or scripts
that allow you to leave the theatre feeling good.

The author, Gao Xingjian was born in 1940.  He is a
Chinese writer and artist.  He was the first of his
countrymen to win the Nobel Prize for literature.  In
contrast to most winners who become national heroes,
the 2000 victor was denounced and his plays banned in
China.

In 1966, during the Cultural Revolution, Gao was one
of many Chinese artists and intellectuals who were
sent to “reeducation” camps to perform manual labor. 
During this time he was compelled to burn a suitcase
of his writings.  When the Revolution ended in 1976,
Gao gradually started to produce his plays which
combine experimental forms with traditional Chinese
styles.  Though his stagings were popular, they drew
the condemnation of Chinese government ministers, who
shut productions as part of their campaign against
“intellectual pollution.” Harassed by the government,
he left the country and settled in France. 

Gao’s plays combine Zen philosophy and a modern
worldview, stressing the gritty realities of life,
death, sex, loneliness, and exile.  As Gao says, his
plays are “manifestations of the idea of the
tripartite actor, a process by which the actor
neutralizes himself and achieves a disinterested
observation of his self in performance.”  Abstract? 
Yes, and that’s exactly what his plays are. 
Interpretation is left to the individual, which is
part of an absurdist’s goal.

Both plays are about journeying onward, much like
China and Gao have both done.

‘BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH’ is basically a one-woman
monologue which concerns the space between life and
death, between reality and imagination.  It appears to
examine the journey of China as it was and is being
transformed.  In the words of the script, is that
“history,” “story,” “fable,” “joke,” riddle” or “empty
words?” Is it all an illusion?  “The me you see is not
me.”

The show is well directed by Holly Holsinger.  Anne
McEvoy is brilliant as The  Woman.  She is well
assisted by Mark Cipra and Melissa Crum in
non-speaking roles.  The use of video (designed by
Neil Sapienza and Dred Geib) is enveloping.  The use
of authentic Chinese string and flute music helps
create the proper moods.

‘THE OTHER SIDE’ showcases director Raymond Bobgan’s
ability to creatively stage dramatic pieces.  He has a
knack for involving the audience’s imagination through
clever visual images.  In this case he used blue
ropes, paper, candles and choreographed movements to
generate vivid visuals.

The play asks the question, “Why do we want go to the
other shore?”  It seems to examine the killing of
China, the China before the Communists took over, in
order to get to the new place.  It echoes the need of
the Communists to create a unity of “all in it
together.”  Creating a “common language,” a “wisdom”
and a “vision.”

The large cast molds together well.  Nick Koesters, as
the narrator and center focus, is excellent.

Capsule judgement:  ‘TWO PLAYS BY GAO XINGJIAN’ is not
for everyone.  It is an unnerving and abstract evening
of theatre which will be appreciate by those who like
absurdist and mind-bending drama, but may be of little
interest to others.  

The plays run through June 14.  For tickets call
216-631-2727 or go on line to www.cptonline.org

CPT’s next show is ‘MATT & BEN,’ a story of Matt Damon
and Ben Affleck (played by two women), who are
struggling to write a screenplay in their rundown
apartment in Boston in 1996.  A play which turns out
to be the Academy Award winning ‘GOOD WILL HUNTING.’ 
Plays dates are May 29-June 14.


Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2008, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to subscibe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)