Independent theater stretches its wings

Yeah, we’ve seen Hairspray and some great Shakespeare, but what’s been missing is a bit of community theater. Something that showcases a new playwright, is a bit off-kilter, or gives a new twist on an old piece. Fortunately, for the theater buffs among us, Shanghai’s local theater scene has really taken off.

Several independent theater groups have recently ascended to the stage. Seasoned scene players and Chinese language group, Uncertainty Theatre, were followed by the Ke Center which is currently in the midst of their Absurd Drama Season Series (pg. 18). Joining English-language stalwarts East West Theater are two companies–Make Believe Productions and the new Velgian Productions–bringing theater-goers a wider range of choices and an opportunity to see different approaches to classics such as Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie (East West’s current work-in-progress) and original pieces such as Velgian’s debut production, Marriage Counseling (pg. 18).

While in large productions the audience may feel distanced, indie theater, “is really intimate,” Zhou Ke from the Ke Center explains. “[The audience can be] involved in the play.” However audiences are not the only ones to benefit. Indie theater, for those involved, is a free space for expression. “We want a Utopia where we can do the things we really want to do,” Ke continues. “Small theaters have freedom as their biggest advantage,” reiterates A Gao from Uncertainty, which is currently working on two plays, Bright and Watch Fire both currently slated for November. “Without [that freedom] the artists would never be able to stay loyal to their work and themselves and be free of the anxiety of box office [pressure].” Consequently, audiences are a large part of the equation. Michael Darragh from Make Believe Productions (which is currently working on Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey) feels that the rise of indie theater is, in part, a search for something else besides booze and brunches.

Perhaps the most indie kudos goes to those who not only produce but write their plays as well. Uncertainty debuted in 2004 with the original piece 3 Drops of Water: Everyone is Gay. Velgian’s Marriage Counseling is a production born from a one-act piece written by Jason Lasky and developed with fellow Velgian founder, Michael Ouyang. “We started this because we wanted to put something together that has not yet been seen in Shanghai–an avenue for experimental theater, performance and multimedia art that is fun, interesting, provocative and, most importantly, professional,” Lasky explains.

A much needed breath of fresh air, indie theater groups are “here to keep things edgy,” says Lasky. And we’re ready to watch.

Elyse Singleton