London’s Bush Theatre launches an offensive towards the Chinese government through this dark comedy dealing with the contradictions of people’s convictions. Guillermo Nazara shares his thoughts on the show, to let us know more about a piece where love and hatred stand for the same cause.
The problem with the world is that idiots are full of confidence, while smart people are full of doubts. Well, I’d hate to think where that puts me, as my job’s sole requirement is to be an opinionated b*tch. However, way too often we’ve got to cope with those cocky little (you can see where I’m going) virtuosos who just know everything that’s wrong with the world and have the perfect solution for it – I guess that working to make it happen would make their halo fall, though…
In a time where politics are starting to fume the rotting stench of totalitarism again, not only is it refreshing to watch a play that challenges different ways of thinking in such a blunt manner – it is also necessary. A Playlist for The Revolution is not an whining tale plagued with the trendiest ideologies that it’s cool to have this month, it’s an honest depiction of an honest view. And more importantly, and statement about how easy it is to judge others, and how difficult it is to judge ourselves.
Set amidst the turmoil of China’s enforcement of its suppressive law system, the play presents us with a quiet well-behaved student, Jonathan (played by Liam Lau-Fernandez) and his futile romance with the utopian free-spirited Chloe (portrayed by Mei Mei Macleod). A fun, all-over-the-place relationship feeding from its clashing ends, the script smoothly unveils its philosophical understanding of how we, as humans, operate: regardless of how much we believe our masks to be genuine, our true nature always takes over.
Written by AJ Yi and directed by Emily Ling Williams, the show is a brilliant analysis on how easy it is to point a finger on somebody who shares a different thought – without realizing that this finger may be, in fact, pointing at us all along. In the story, Chloe is the embodiment of an obnoxious PC warrior – there’s always a cause for her to be defended. Yet, it is the more cautious and rational boy that ends up fighting for real. She sees herself as an underdog that fights privilege. However, she can only say that due to her privilege. It’s just too universal not to sound familiar.
With an appealing, dynamic set design by Liam Buster, the production also counts on quite a capable cast, with Liam giving an enticing rendition that exudes some innocent charm mixed with his character’s incipient fire. Nonetheless, Zak Shukor gives the best portrayal as revolutionary Mr. Chu, thanks to the truthfulness and, surprisingly enough, his skill to make of a dry, surly guy very amiable.
With only its pacing in need of some minor tweaks (some scenes and dialogues feeling overdeveloped for what the recount actually yearns for), A Playlist for the Revolution is a brave artistic step against the frightening tide trying to drown critical thinking. It’s not a musical (despite its title), but surely this is a plot that, some way or another, will make you hear the people sing.
A Playlist for the Revolution plays at London’s Bush Theatre until 5 August. Tickets are available on the following link.