Review-Tear Gas-Brave Heart Theatre
20-11-14
By: Meaghan McGurgan
I wasn’t planning on being the critic for Tear Gas. Although I’ve been deeply encompassed in the political events happening in Hong Kong the past 51 days, I wanted a Hong Kong perspective on a show that described itself as a “satirical view on the events of Occupy Central”. Unfortunately, there were schedule clashes with the local critics and I was the one who was left to cover the event. How would a foreigner feel about a show written about Occupy Central from the perspective of a domestic helper? It was like looking at a box inside a box. Though not planned, I’m glad I got to see the show and that I was opened up to a new perspective on the events at #umhk.
Written by Maryjane Alejo, a known agit-prop artist from the Philippines, with assistance by local musician and performer Sandy Lau, the set up for the show is quite simple. Maryjane and Sandy are buskers who are upset their performance spot has been taken and they’re now writing protest songs to protest the protest. Their protest songs weave together a story that is audience interactive at its base and allows the viewer to decide things like character names, ending of the play and plot points, much like a Choose Your Own Adventure Book.
The performers are extremely talented. Maryjane is a wonderful guitar player and singer. She also has a great stage presence. She has a wonderful ability to transform between characters on stage. Sandy Lau was also a complete delight to watch. Her characters were more subtle than Alejo’s but completely likable, she had a wonderful expression when she sang and solid comedic timing.
The lighting and technical aspects of the show are good. It’s a small, intimate space in comfortable, modified thrust seating which allows the audience to bond and feel like a family. By the end of the play, audience members were passing bags of chips around and asking for more beer as the solution to the Umbrella Movement.
Where the show lost me was the story. The main focus of the story was that Maryjane was Sandy’s domestic helper and was sent to Admiralty to find her and bring her home. They mentioned several events like “something bad is happening in Mong Kok”, they made an audience member pretend to be Milk’s Umbrella Man, they handed out snacks and water and sprayed the audience with water bottles all before the tear gas event happened. It was obvious the story telling was non-linear but I was getting confused on which day in the protest they were speaking about. Perhaps placards with dates or numbers would have been helpful to the audience? Why was Sandy found on September 28th but she was continued to be searched for by Alejo’s character much later?
Some pretty obvious jokes and material were missing from Tear Gas which gave me some question marks. “I will now translate into English” was absent, Beyond’s “Boundless Sea and Sky” was omitted from the soundtrack of the show, 689 was missing and the mentions of the Chief Executive were few and far between. I did like the ending of the show where they gave us three ridiculous options on how to end Occupy Central. It gave us a good laugh and pause to think on how will the protests end?
The play declares itself a satirical view on the events and, overall, I think they are able to succeed at pointing out some of the more comedic moments in the past fifty days. Because of the short duration of the play, some of the characters lack depth. I think the anti-occupy boyfriend got the least amount of attention to detail. I know a lot of people that are blue ribbons and against the protest but they’re not drug dealing, sex addicted, abusive boyfriends. I think they could have done something else with the boyfriend character to give the anti-occupy viewpoint a bit more leg in the play. To make him a triad member was too easy and too extreme of a choice.
For audience members wanting to see a play with wonderful music by local artists about current events, Tear Gas is the play for you. It’s got a very talented cast with a unique viewpoint on Hong Kong. Will this play be for everyone? No. But will it make you think? Yes. The post show talkback with free flowing beers and open debate about what is currently happening in our city is completely worth the price of admission. Alejo stated during the talkback, “We made this play to create an open dialogue.” They completely succeeded in that regard.
Tear Gas is playing through November 28th. For more information, click here.
Comments
will giles
I thoroughly enjoyed the show and the versatile performances of Maryjane and Sandy.The audience participation and ad libs added to the story and you never quite knew what would happen next.The idea that the serious message of the Umbrella Movement would somehow be trivialised in an emotional one-sided outburst was dispelled very quickly.In fact other themes emerged to emphasise the unfairness and inequality in HK society.Why can't domestic helpers become permanent residents?Is their contribution somehow less?An enjoyable and thought-provoking evening.Well done to Maryjane,Sandy,Tom and all concerned.
21 November 2014Sunzison
After the initial fear factor "omg, it's audience participation..." was overcome, the audience really warmed up to the actors versatility, fun and wacky performances (and free flowing beer). A few important issues were raised that went beyond a one sided argument from protests and became evident that everyone who lives in Hk has been effected. The relationship between the police and protesters was discussed after the performance along with potential solutions including the chief executive contracting Ebola, which many people seemed to enjoy. The discussion after the show gave an important balance and engaged with the audience, some very passionately. A good show and an enjoyable experience. Bravo!
28 November 2014