Chimerica (play)
{{Short description|2013 play by Lucy Kirkwood}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
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| writer = Lucy Kirkwood
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| premiere = {{Start date|2013|05|20}}
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| orig_lang = English
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Chimerica is a 2013 play by the British dramatist Lucy Kirkwood. It draws its title from the term Chimerica, referring to the predominance of China and America in modern geopolitics. The play premiered in London at the Almeida Theatre and was directed by Lyndsey Turner. Turner's production received several awards and was well-reviewed. A Channel 4 four-part drama of the same name based on the play was released in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/lucy-kirkwoods-u-s-china-drama-chimerica-set-for-c4-adaptation-by-playground-1202270312/|title=Lucy Kirkwood's U.S./China Drama 'Chimerica' Set For C4 Adaptation|first1=Peter|last1=White|date=26 January 2018}}
Development
Playwright Lucy Kirkwood was commissioned to write the play that would become Chimerica in 2006, seven years before it eventually premiered.{{Cite web|url=https://timelinetheatre.com/2016/05/interview-lucy-kirkwood/|title=Interview with Lucy Kirkwood|last=Bowling|first=Nick|date=2016-05-11|website=TimeLine Theatre|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-26}}{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/chimerica-channel-4-lucy-kirkwood-interview-503597|title=Lucy Kirkwood on Chimerica: 'Right now saying, 'I don't know' is the most radical state you can be in'|last=Jones|first=Alice|date=2019-04-17|website=inews.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26}}
The title of the play comes from the portmanteau Chimerica, coined by Niall Ferguson and Moritz Schularick, referring to the significance of the sociopolitical relationship between China and America, especially in the global economy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/whats-on/productions/2017/chimerica|title=Chimerica|website=Sydney Theatre Company|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26}} Kirkwood has also cited the similarity in sound between 'Chimerica' and the word 'chimera' as a reason for the title.
Synopsis
Chimerica follows photojournalist Joe Schofield, who photographed the unidentified Tank Man during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. Twenty years later, Chinese dissident and ESL teacher Zhang Lin, who was present during the 1989 pro-democracy protests and subsequent massacre, assists Joe in his quest to find Tank Man. Zhang Lin's fiancée, Liuli, died in the protests and flashback scenes between Liuli and Zhang Lin appear throughout the play. Joe's journalist colleagues recommend that Joe not pursue the Tank Man. After Joe returns to America, where Lin suggests the Tank Man is living, Zhang Lin is tortured by the Chinese authorities. Joe develops a relationship with Englishwoman, Tessa, who is profiling the Chinese population so that her employer can have an advantage in China.{{Cite news|last=Nestruck|first=J. Kelly|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/theatre-reviews/in-chimerica-international-relations-get-lost-in-translation/article29495227/|title=In Chimerica, international relations get lost in translation|date=April 1, 2016|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=2020-04-25}} At the end of the play, it is revealed that Zhang Lin was the Tank Man.
Characters
- Joe Schofield, an American photojournalist
- Frank Hadley, Joe's editor
- Mel Stanwick, a journalist
- Tessa Kendrick, a market analyst
- Zhang Lin, an ESL teacher and Joe's primary contact in China
- Liuli, Zhang Lin's former fiancée, killed during Tiananmen Square protests
- Benny, Zhang Lin's nephew
- Zhang Wei, Zhang Lin's brother, Benny's assistant
- Paul Kramer, in 1989 was the Beijing correspondent for The Herald
- Feng Meihui, a Chinese businesswoman living in New York
- Jennifer Lee, Feng Meihui's daughter
- Maria Dubiecki, a senator
- David Barker, Maria's assistant
- Mary Chang, a Chinese woman living in New York
- Ming Xiaoli, Zhang Lin's neighbour
- Doreen, Frank's assistant
- Michelle, an Asian-American police officer
- Officer Hyte, Michelle's partner
- Herb, an American tourist, married to Barb
- Barb, an American tourist, married to Herb
- Kate, a British reporter at Tiananmen Square
- Deng, a young Chinese businesswoman
- Peter Rourke, an American CEO of a company with an office in Beijing
- Dawn, Peter's secretary
- Judy, a lawyer for Peter's company
- Pengsi, a Chinese man living in New York
- Pengsi's Wife
- Guard
- Nurse
- Woman in Strip Club
- Drug Dealer{{Cite web|url=https://canadianstage.com/ArticleMedia/Files/chimerica-study-guide.pdf|title=Study Guide: Chimerica|last=Schachter|first=Erin|date=2016|website=Canadian Stage|publisher=Canadian Stage and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre|pages=4–5}}
Production history
= Premiere =
Chimerica premiered at the Almeida Theatre, London from 20 May 2013 to 6 July 2013, in a production co-produced with Headlong{{cite web|url=http://www.almeida.co.uk/event/chimerica|title=Chimerica | Almeida Theatre, London|publisher=Almeida.co.uk|access-date=2013-10-13}} before transferring to the Harold Pinter Theatre.{{cite web|url=http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/chimerica/harold-pinter-theatre/|title=Chimerica, Harold Pinter Theatre|publisher=Ambassador Theatre Group|access-date=7 Oct 2013}} The production was directed by Lyndsey Turner with stage design by Es Devlin.{{Cite news|last=Billington|first=Michael|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/may/29/chimerica-review|title=Chimerica – review|date=2013-05-29|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-25|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}
== Premiere cast ==
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Actor
! Character(s){{cite book|title=Chimerica Programme |year= 2013|publisher=Almeida Theatre |location=London}} |
|---|
| Claudie Blakley
|Tessa Kendrick |
| Stephen Campbell Moore
|Joe Schofield |
| Elizabeth Chan
|Liuli/Jennifer |
| Vera Chok / Wendy Kweh
|Michelle/Mary Chang/Deng |
| Karl Collins
|David Barker/Peter Rourke/Paul Kramer/Officer Hyte |
| Trevor Cooper
|Frank/Herb/Drug Dealer |
| Nancy Crane
|Doreen/Maria Dubiecki/Judy |
| Sean Gilder
|Mel Stanwick |
| Sarah Lam
|Feng Meihui/Ming Xiaoli |
| Andrew Leung
|Young Zhang Lin/Benny |
| David K S Tse
|Zhang Wei/Wang Pengsi |
| Benedict Wong
|Zhang Lin |
| Rosie Armstrong
|Ensemble/Understudy for Tessa Kendrick, Doreen, Maria Dubiecki, Judy |
| Tina Chiang
|Ensemble/Understudy for Liuli, Jennifer, Michelle, Mary Chang, Deng, Feng Meihui, Ming Xiaoli |
| Christopher Hollinshead
|Ensemble/Understudy for Joe Schofield |
| Math Sams
|Ensemble/Understudy for David Barker, Peter Rourke, Paul Kramer, Officer Hyte, Frank, Herb, Drug Dealer, Mel Stanwick |
| Kevin Shen
|Ensemble/Understudy for Zhang Lin, Young Zhang Lin, Benny, Zhang Wei, Wang Pengsi |
= Subsequent productions =
In September 2015, Chimerica was performed for the first time in the United States. The production was directed by David Muse at Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C., Rob Yang played Zhang Lin opposite Ron Menzel's Joe Schofield.{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/theater/article/13047179/chimerica-at-studio-theatre-reviewed|title=Chimerica at Studio Theatre, Reviewed|last=Klimek|first=Chris|date=2015-09-18|website=Washington City Paper|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26}}{{Cite web|url=https://mdtheatreguide.com/2015/09/theatre-review-chimerica-at-studio-theatre/|title=Theatre Review: 'Chimerica' at Studio Theatre|last=Bochicchio|first=Brian|date=2015-09-16|website=Maryland Theatre Guide|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-26}}
Chimerica made its Canadian premiere at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in 2016. The production was directed by Chris Abraham and starred Evan Buliung as Joe and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Zhang Lin.{{Cite news|last=Maga|first=Carly|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2016/04/01/chimerica-has-stimulating-ideas-but-underwhelming-dialogue-review.html|title=Chimerica has stimulating ideas but underwhelming dialogue: review|date=April 1, 2016|work=The Toronto Star|access-date=April 25, 2016}} Filmmaker Deco Dawson provided video which was projected during the performance.{{Cite news|last=King|first=Randall|url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/arts/challenge-accepted-369998401.html|title=Director deals with lots of moving parts in complicated, ambitious work|date=2016-02-24|work=Winnipeg Free Press|access-date=2020-04-26|language=en-CA}} This production was co-produced by the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and by Toronto's Canadian Stage. After playing in Winnipeg from February till mid-March, the production travelled to Toronto and played from the end of March to mid-April.{{Cite news|last=Schmidt|first=Joff|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/rmtc-s-chimerica-is-a-gripping-geopolitical-thriller-1.3464538|title=RMTC's Chimerica is a gripping geopolitical thriller|date=February 16, 2016|work=CBC News|access-date=April 25, 2020}}
Later in 2016, Chimerica played in Chicago at TimeLine Theatre under the direction of Nick Bowling.{{Cite news|last=Jones|first=Chris|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-chimerica-tank-man-photo-play-ent-0513-20160512-column.html|title='Chimerica' takes a long dive into China, America and the media|date=May 12, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=April 25, 2020}}
Chimerica premiered in Australia in March 2017. Kip Williams directed the Sydney Theatre Company production at the Roslyn Packer Theatre. The production starred Mark Leonard Winter as Joe and Jason Chong as Zhang Lin among the cast of 32 actors.{{Cite news|last=Sebag-Montefiore|first=Clarissa|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/mar/07/chimerica-review-electrifying-thriller-traverses-tiananmen-square-and-modern-new-york|title=Chimerica review – electrifying thriller traverses Tiananmen Square and modern New York|date=2017-03-07|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-26|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}
In February and March 2022, the [https://www.cranecreations.ca/ Crane Creations Theatre Company] led a play reading of Chimerica on its [https://www.cranecreations.ca/past-play-dates/#June Play Date]. This play reading is meant to spread awareness and increase appreciation of playwrights and playwriting from around the world and to global audiences.
A French adaptation of Chimerica premiered in Montreal in January 2024 at the Jean-Duceppe Theatre of Place des Arts.{{Cite web|url=https://duceppe.com/chimerica|title=Chimerica|access-date=January 18, 2024}}
= Adaptations =
In 2019, Channel 4 released a four-part drama called Chimerica inspired by the play. The adaptation was penned by Lucy Kirkwood who made several changes from the original script including changing the setting from 2012 to 2016. The main character in the series is called Lee Berger and is played by Alessandro Nivola.{{Cite news|last=Mangan|first=Lucy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/apr/17/chimerica-review-a-thrillingly-real-drama-about-fake-news|title=Chimerica review – a thrillingly real drama about fake news|date=2019-04-17|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-25|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}
Reception
The play as a whole has been criticized for its ambitious runtime of over three hours.{{Cite web|url=http://theblurb.com.au/wp/chimerica-stc-theatre-review/|title=Chimerica (STC) - theatre review|last=Edwards|first=David|date=2017-05-05|website=The Blurb|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-26}}{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/legit/reviews/legit-review-chimerica-1200489095/|title=Legit Review: 'Chimerica'|last=Benedict|first=David|date=2013-05-29|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26}}
The Almeida production was described in one review{{cite web|author=Henry Hitchings|author-link=Henry Hitchings|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/chimerica-almeida-theatre--theatre-review-8635490.html?origin=internalSearch |title=Chimerica, Almeida Theatre - theatre review - Theatre - Going Out |publisher=London Evening Standard |date=2013-05-29 |access-date=2013-10-13}} as "fluent and seductive", with a "filmic quality", with the multiple set changes well-handled. The premiere was well received and garnered many awards.
In September 2019, The Guardian writers listed it as the 10th best theatre show since 2000.{{Cite news|last1=Billington|first1=Michael|last2=Soloski|first2=Alexis|last3=Love|first3=Catherine|last4=Fisher|first4=Mark|last5=Wiegand|first5=Chris|date=2019-09-17|title=The 50 best theatre shows of the 21st century|url=http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/sep/17/the-50-best-theatre-shows-of-the-21st-century|access-date=2021-02-17|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en}}
= Awards =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Award !Category !Result !Notes !Ref. |
| 2013
|Best Play |{{won}} | |
| rowspan="6" | 2014
| rowspan="5" |Olivier Awards |{{won}} | | rowspan="5" |{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/olivier-awards-2014-winners-list-in-full-9257767.html|title=Oliviers 2014 winners list in full: Chimerica and The Book of Mormon were the big winners on Sunday night|last=Wyatt|first=Daisy|date=2014-04-13|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26}}Brown, Mark. [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/apr/13/almeida-theatre-wins-olivia-awards-chimerica-west-end "Olivier awards 2014: Almeida theatre defeats West End giants"] The Guardian, 13 April 2014 |
| Best Director
|{{won}} |for Lyndsey Turner |
| Best Lighting Design
|{{won}} |for Tim Lutkin and Finn Ross |
| Best Sound Design
|{{won}} |for Carolyn Downing |
| Best Set Design
|{{won}} |for Es Devlin |
| Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
| |{{won}} |for Lucy Kirkwood |
See also
- {{section link|Tank Man#Legacy}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{OlivierAward Play 2001–2025}}
{{1989 Tiananmen Square protests}}
Category:Plays by Lucy Kirkwood
Category:1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre