The Shanghai Gesture
Tickets and Information
SHOW INFORMATION
CURRENTLY CLOSED
Opened Apr 30, 2009
Closed May 24, 2009
Opened Apr 30, 2009
Closed May 24, 2009
Directions & Map
Running Time:
2hr. 30min.
(includes 1 intermission)
2hr. 30min.
(includes 1 intermission)
Visit the The Shanghai Gesture website:
http://mirrorrepertory.com
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WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Written in 1918 and last produced in New York on Broadway in l926, The Shanghai Gesture is a 100-year-old historic American play that has always been controversial for its bold confrontation of still-relevant issues. For the first time in a full production, it will star an ethnically correct actress, Tina Chen, playing the lead role of Mother Goddam. Under the direction of Robert Kalfin, The Shanghai Gesture confronts issues of women's rights, the sex trade, child abuse/slavery, and what happens when one country imposes its culture upon another.
It takes place in China in the roaring twenties when Shanghai was a truly cosmopolitan city filled with Russian refugees, its people exploited by opium traders and adventurers from all over Europe and Great Britain, and visited by American entrepreneurs. Played by Tina Chen, Mother Goddam is a Manchu princess shamed and discarded by an aristocratic English merchant and sold into sex slavery who can never return to her home. A survivor, she has risen to great power and reputation within a complex society where she runs an elegant brothel frequented by governors, mandarins, and princes who chose amongst women who are beautiful and tastefully dressed. Tonight there is great excitement, for she is having a dinner party - and society folk, the British and other European aristocrats and their wives are coming to dinner. What transpires during the dinner is hypnotic, humorous, erotic, terrifying, shocking, surprising, sad, and utterly fascinating. Many secrets - those of each guest - are revealed, and the ultimate secrets - those of Sir Guy Charteris - literally change lives. Even Mother Goddam must face an unanticipated revelation of a secret of her own.
WHAT ARE CRITICS SAYING?
What are other members saying?
Shanghai Gsture
Tina Chen is mesmerizing. The raw and bitter emotions she displays is awe inspiring to watch. She takes total control of the passive agressive persona. I have gone to see this twice as I cant seem to let go. This is the best play Ive seen so far this year.Do yourself a favor and go before you miss it.
Reviewed by 65sandman
on Saturday, May 23rd, 2009
Simply Wonderful
An intelligent and beautifully acted play. A must see before it closes. It is rare to see such talent on stage these days.
Reviewed by al10029
on Thursday, May 14th, 2009
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recommend, approve and/or guarantee such events, or any facts, views, advice and/or information contained therein.
©1999-2012 TheaterMania.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use & Privacy Policy
It's easy to see why John Colton's 1918 play The Shanghai Gesture, now receiving a rare if imperfect revival at the Julia Miles Theater, was so controversial in its time. Not only does it level a critique of what would have been current-day imperialistic practices by Western nations within China, it also confronts head-on issues of prostitution, abuse, and racial miscegenation. And then of course, there's the scene in which a white girl is auctioned off to a group of horny Chinese coolies for use as a sexual slave.
The play itself is a potent mixture of melodrama and Greek tragedy, but despite the provocative nature of the piece, Mirror Repertory Company's presentation (seen here in an adap[...]