Chimerica

Remember the iconic photo of the man with bags, standing in front of a tank in Tiananmen Square during the student protests of 1989?

That's what Chimerica is all about.

You could write a thesis on the nuances of this play, and the issues it raises. Someone behind me remarked that she'd have to see it again, just to catch everything she missed. Sure, it's fast paced. And sure, it raises big issues.

You know what I took from it? It reminded me of the passion I had, back then, for politics. Because this play simply reeks of passion. The story is of the fellow who took the photo, and his search for the guy that stood in front of the tanks - "tank man". But it leads us in unexpected directions.

The staging is wonderful - as Time Out calls it, a revolving "Rubix cube" provides the set, against which a projector displays whatever photos are appropriate: the aforementioned tank photo featuring prominently.

I couldn't place the lead Chinese actor at first, before recognising him as the guy who played Ai-Weiwei, in The Arrest of Ai-Weiwei. There are a few actors from that production in this one.

This is terrific. Odds are, it's the best play currently showing in London. Seemed to be sold out tonight - booking recommended. Well worth the trek out to the Almeida.

Google Maps seemed to indicate that the Overground, which I had taken to get there, was not my best route home, so I took their advice, and the bus & Tube instead. On the bus, had the rather surreal experience of a little old man - he was wearing a hoodie, pulled right up, but I'm assuming he was old by the way he was bent almost double and moved so slowly - after he finally sat down, pulling out what looked like a recorder (yes, the musical instrument) and treating us to a tune. It was timeless, and quite lovely. Wherever you are, Sir, thank you.

Probably going to have another go at getting to Yellow Face tomorrow night.. may the night be as good.