Theater: Human, all too human

Green Ray Theater (綠光劇團) will premier Human Condition 5 — The Nature of Male is Wandering Mood (人間條件五- 男性本是漂泊心情), the fifth chapter of its highly acclaimed Human Condition series beginning next week at the National Theater (國家戲劇院) and then move on to perform at Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台) from Oct. 4 to Oct. 14. The show will then tour in Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan, Taoyuan and Hsinchu from October to December. Written and directed by the acclaimed Wu Nien-jen (吳念真), the show features the series’ regular cast including actress Lin Mei-hsiu (林美秀) and theater veteran Luo Bei-an (羅北安).

“I decided to focus this chapter on the lives of Taiwanese males in their 50’s and 60’s,” Wu said at the press conference on Tuesday. “This is the age when these men are facing unemployment, divorce or mid-life crisis.”

The story kicks off when a government official (portrayed by Luo) calls a family meeting to announce his decision for a divorce in order to pursue his freedom. He goes on a spiritual journey and learns the truth behind the veneer of his three other male friends who appear to be happily married. Actress Lin takes on the unusual challenge of portraying the wife of three of these male protagonists.

“The truth about freedom might be trickier than you think,” Wu said. “Lack of constraint and responsibility might spell loneliness.”

The show is the latest chapter in what has been dubbed by Taiwanese media as “Citizen Drama” (國民戲劇). Wu uses his trademark humor and nostalgia to portray the grassroots characters in Taiwanese society. Because of its heart-warming appeal, the series has extended beyond the usual literary audiences to draw in older fans.