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| Atung (Will Dao) assists Afong (Rinabeth Apostol). |
Playwright Lloyd Suh elaborated on what is known to
create “The Chinese Lady,” presented by the Magic Theatre.
The Carne brothers, who were in the trading
business, brought 14-year-old Afong to New York City in 1834 to promote their
effort to sell Chinese goods.
In the play, Afong (Rinabeth Apostol) is first seen
seated after her translator, Atung (Will Dao), raises the gorgeous
Chinese-patterned curtain surrounding a raised platform in Peale’s Museum.
Speaking to spectators who paid 25 cents (10 cents
for children) to see her, Afong introduces herself. She then describes how her
feet were bound starting at age 4 and demonstrates walking.
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| Afong demonstrates the use of chopsticks. |
Next come the use of chopsticks for eating and an
explanation of tea’s importance in Chinese culture.
She concludes her appearance by saying how much she
hopes “this may lead to greater understanding and goodwill between China and
America, and between all the peoples of the world.”
Subsequent scenes show her at ages 16 and 17, the
latter after a visit to Washington, D.C., where she met President Andrew
Jackson, whom she calls Emperor Jackson. Atung translated, but not literally.
Scene 4 finds Atung alone in front of the closed
curtain as he talks about, among other things, his dream that he is Afong’s
lover. When he opens the curtain, it’s 1849, she’s 29 and wearing a new, more
Americanized costume.
Next, in 1864, she’s 44. She says that P.T. Barnum
has taken over and will replace her with a 14-year-old. She must go, but Atung
will stay.
After that, Afong expresses regret that she didn’t
do more to promote harmony and delivers a tour de force monologue covering the decades
of mistreatment of Chinese people in the United States.
Finally, in 2019, she’s more optimistic, saying that
if people “take the time to really look at each other … we might see …
something true and real and wonderful.”
This play is almost endlessly fascinating thanks to
Mina Morita’s sensitive direction of the two actors, who so skillfully create
their characters.
The handsome set is by Jacquelyn Scott, while Abra
Berman created the costumes, with special praise for Afong’s beautiful outfits.
Adding to the production are lighting by Wen-Ling
Liao and sound by Sara Huddleston.
Running about 90 minutes without intermission, “The
Chinese Lady” will continue through Nov. 3 at the Magic Theatre, third floor,
Building D, Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco.
Photos
by Jennifer Reiley
