Clubbed Thumb offers this world premiere play about economic transformation, the dreams it enables, and those it crushes. More…
The Li family would be enjoying their new lake-view luxury villa outside of the city, were they not surrounded by the gardeners, maids, and security guards who had once owned the land…not to mention the Gods, ghosts, and unnamed spirits there for thousands of years before them.
See it if Dislocated city & country dwellers experience culture clash & loss of meaning in their lives. Great staging w hilarious animal scenes.
Don't see it if You are not interested in Chinese issues, parents feeling separated from their children, & class differences making people feel inadequate.
See it if Chinese socio-political observation interests you. Characters from different classes interact in a newly developed Shanghai suburb.
Don't see it if consistency matters to you. The performance is a mix of naturalistic acting, didactic commentary, ritual & some styles that don't have names
See it if Modern Chinese issues very cleverly staged by Clubbed Thumb. Charming set used by talented cast with the excellent Daniel K. Isaac.
Don't see it if Appropriated land, class and inequality. Hilarious use of dolls as animals, including a fight between a dog and a goose. Meaningful and fun
Also Wait till you see how they cut down a tree on stage!
See it if You appreciate fresh and interesting story-telling. You are interested in modern Chinese history, politics, and economics.
Don't see it if You require naturalistic and sophisticated settings and production values.
Also Good performances and sound design. Runs 85-90 minutes and could benef... Read more Read less
See it if Visually stunning, presents a host of class warfare, local earth gods, and the lingering ghosts of the land in a now-capitalist China.
Don't see it if For all of the fantastic choices throughout, much of the play's speech (often allegorical) has a dulling effect on the action and atmosphere
See it if you want to support Asian voice and actors - this play brought history and present together in an interesting staging
Don't see it if you want your shows to be cut to right size already - it was interesting and well staged, just a bit too long in some parts
See it if like expansive funny/tragic stories told in theatrical ways. The play is about land repossession in China, but it's a transformative journey
Don't see it if want a classical narrative or traditional storytelling.
See it if You want to have an enjoyable time and feel the complexity of human interactions
Don't see it if You are looking for an answer to social problems