[If you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you]
Described as an immersive expertise to ‘journey through time, bearing witness to a Taiwanese perspective on legacies of colonialism (1930-1995)’, This Room is an Island units the stage outdoors the theatre, starting within the Te Pou lobby.
One by one performers make their means via the viewers to the center of the ground. People instinctively half to create space, the viewers pushed towards the partitions by some invisible power. Standing subsequent to the recycle bin I attempt to make myself small and out of the way in which — I really feel just like the intruder right here.
In the foyer-turned-stage there are two collectives current. The first, wearing patchwork jackets created from rice sacks, take away their garments, leaving them neatly folded in piles as they kneel of their underwear. The second are wearing all-black safety jumpsuits, showing faceless with black materials protecting their heads, standing upright at consideration — it’s very clear who’s in cost.
Officers kick over the folded garments, ordering these kneeling to redo it once more, earlier than they’re commanded to alter into new, Japanese model uniforms. Considering the summary and immersive nature of the remainder of the present, the preshow serves as an efficient primer, organising the facility dynamic that influences the choices of the viewers all through the efficiency.
The first alternative on this choose-your-own-adventure is to determine whether or not to be an Imperial Spectator or a Body of the Island. It creates the phantasm of selecting to be a bystander to the gruelling oppression simply witnessed, or to take part within the expertise.
I grasp again with the remaining crowd who will develop into our bodies of the island. When it comes time to enter the theatre we line up in single file to be inspected by the officers earlier than entry. I’m requested “what is your name?” whereas others behind are pulled apart for failing to appropriately reply “where are you from originally?”.
An officer then directs me to the row of individuals seated on the ground, whereas the Imperial Spectators look down from above of their chairs. Sound reverberates via the theatre as photos are projected on the again wall. My place, crossed legged on the ground adjoining to 2 stage lights, means it’s onerous to see with readability what is definitely being projected. I’m uncertain if it was achieved deliberately to disorient the viewers and let idle minds panic, amidst all of the noise and visuals I discover myself sitting there, [temporarily] unengaged with what’s taking place round me.
When the performers return to the stage, I’m rather more immersed as the remainder of the act unfolds. Each scene turns into a poignant snapshot of Taiwan’s emotional and historic journey. What stands out is the way in which the dancers specific a spectrum of experiences from passive oppression to the struggle for freedom. Sometimes, they transfer in unison with uncanny puppet-like motions, seemingly managed by exterior forces. Other instances, actions are stuffed with angst, the variation between dancers showcasing a struggle for identification. The continued soundscape all through creates a seamless environment as efficiency flows throughout time and generations, fascinating and transporting the viewers with its multifaceted storytelling.
Perhaps I ought to be pleased about the sooner reprieve, as in Act Two, the officers return with stern orders for us to rise and transfer ahead. Being on stage, I not solely hear, but in addition really feel the forceful stomps of the officers’ footwear via the ground.
As the stage partitions open up, we’re ordered ahead and separated into teams. Voiced-over directions echo via the house, urging us to adjust to the dancers who now direct us to bop. Officers shout ‘You must comply,’ and surreally, collaborating viewers members start to bop.
I try to maintain up, however my feigned enthusiasm is insufficient as an officer calls me out for non-compliance. When requested why I’m there, I reply truthfully, ‘I am here to review the show,’ figuring out that I’ve nothing to concern from the reality.
I’m escorted to the highest of the stalls, positioned above the imperial visitors, and ordered to face a digicam. I comply, turning to seize each my left and proper profiles as if in a jail mug shot. To my shock, my face is projected onto the again wall, looming over the members who dance in unison with their instructors—an ominous reminder of the implications for non-compliance. Meanwhile, the Imperial Spectators observe each the obedient members and people known as out, serving as a delicate commentary on the hazards of remaining silent.
More non-compliers are lined up behind me as I’m escorted once more by an officer, this time led to the theatre aspect for interrogation.
‘Who is the Spy?’ an officer barks at me.
‘I am the spy,’ I reply sarcastically.
I usually dislike being questioned or informed what to do. I’m uncertain whether it is misplaced sass or a default response to authority, however underneath the strict gazes of the officers, I discover myself laughing. The officers transfer on to the subsequent particular person in line, leaving me standing towards the wall and feeling embarrassed by my cheeky and ill-mannered responses within the solemn environment.
‘This Room is an Island’ is a confronting efficiency, reflecting each historic and emotional elements of colonisation, nationalism, and corruption. By immersing the viewers in historical past fairly than presenting it as truth it invokes extra than simply empathy, inviting the viewers to find truths about themselves.
During the efficiency I’m each figuratively and actually projected onto the stage — and I’m undecided I like what I discover. If I take away something from this present, it’s that the power to empathise isn’t sufficient. It required intent to acknowledge how a lot my expertise rising up in Aotearoa as a NZ European formed each my expertise of ‘This Room is an Island’ and my notion of the world.
No one is only a physique on the island. What you carry to the present will form your expertise. It is as much as the person viewers members to determine what that narrative is, and what they’ll take from it.
This Room is an Island performed Te Pou Theatre 2-4th of February 2024
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