[If you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you]
Described as an immersive expertise to ‘journey by means of 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 after the other performers make their manner by means of the viewers to the center of the ground. Individuals instinctively half to create space, the viewers pushed towards the partitions by some invisible drive. Standing subsequent to the recycle bin I attempt to make myself small and out of the best way — I really feel just like the intruder right here.
Within the foyer-turned-stage there are two collectives current. The primary, wearing patchwork jackets made out of 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 masking 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 vary into new, Japanese model uniforms. Contemplating the summary and immersive nature of the remainder of the present, the preshow serves as an efficient primer, organising the ability dynamic that influences the selections of the viewers all through the efficiency.
The primary selection on this choose-your-own-adventure is to resolve whether or not to be an Imperial Spectator or a Physique 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 hold 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’s your title?” whereas others behind are pulled apart for failing to accurately reply “the place are you from initially?”.
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 by means of the theatre as pictures are projected on the again wall. My place, crossed legged on the ground adjoining to 2 stage lights, means it’s exhausting to see with readability what is definitely being projected. I’m not sure if it was finished 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 way more immersed as the remainder of the act unfolds. Every scene turns into a poignant snapshot of Taiwan’s emotional and historic journey. What stands out is the best way the dancers specific a spectrum of experiences from passive oppression to the battle for freedom. Generally, they transfer in unison with uncanny puppet-like motions, seemingly managed by exterior forces. Different occasions, actions are crammed with angst, the variation between dancers showcasing a battle for identification. The continued soundscape all through creates a seamless ambiance as efficiency flows throughout time and generations, fascinating and transporting the viewers with its multifaceted storytelling.
Maybe I ought to be thankful for 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 additionally really feel the forceful stomps of the officers’ sneakers by means of the ground.
Because the stage partitions open up, we’re ordered ahead and separated into teams. Voiced-over directions echo by means of the house, urging us to adjust to the dancers who now direct us to bounce. Officers shout ‘You could comply,’ and surreally, taking part viewers members start to bounce.
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’m right here to assessment the present,’ realizing that I’ve nothing to worry from the reality.
I’m escorted to the highest of the stalls, positioned above the imperial friends, and ordered to face a digital camera. 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 results for non-compliance. In the meantime, the Imperial Spectators observe each the obedient members and people known as out, serving as a delicate commentary on the risks of remaining silent.
Extra non-compliers are lined up behind me as I’m escorted once more by an officer, this time led to the theatre facet for interrogation.
‘Who’s the Spy?’ an officer barks at me.
‘I’m the spy,’ I reply sarcastically.
I typically dislike being questioned or informed what to do. I’m not sure whether it is misplaced sass or a default response to authority, however below the strict gazes of the officers, I discover myself laughing. The officers transfer on to the following particular person in line, leaving me standing towards the wall and feeling embarrassed by my cheeky and ill-mannered responses within the solemn ambiance.
‘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 relatively than presenting it as reality it invokes extra than simply empathy, inviting the viewers to find truths about themselves.
Throughout 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 is just not 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.
Nobody is only a physique on the island. What you convey to the present will form your expertise. It’s as much as the person viewers members to resolve what that narrative is, and what they may take from it.
This Room is an Island performed Te Pou Theatre 2-4th of February 2024
