Thursday, December 3, 1998
Tale cues in essence of individuality
PERFORMANCE: ‘Ah Q’ combines dance, theater to critique human
nature
By Sandy Yang
Daily Bruin Staff
A story written in 1921 by a Chinese author wouldn’t seem like a
timely commentary on American society today. But playwright, actor
and visiting professor Ying Xu will prove that there is such a tale
with this week’s Dance Building performance of "Ah Q," a tale that
transcends time and culture. Performed by a host of professors and
other professionals, the tale transmits a universal but disturbing
comment on human nature.
"Ah Q," an integration of theatrics, music and dance co-directed
by Xu and choreography professor Victoria Marks, is based on "The
Real Story of Ah Q," by famed Chinese author, Xun Lu. Considered
one of the most important pieces of literature in this century,
Lu’s works are required reading for schoolchildren in China.
Bringing the story of "Ah Q" to America, Xu feels that Americans
can also take away from the story its message of the power of
individuality.
As the 21st century approaches, this story – about a man who
accepts and allows anything, however unjust or terrible, to happen
to him – certainly finds relevance in today’s society. As trends
and the media push society into conformity, and those in higher
positions are able to manipulate the public, associate producer Sue
Fan says "Ah Q" serves to challenge people’s passive
tendencies.
"It is a mentality that people recognize as universal," Fan
says. "By looking at human nature, we all have our way of
rationalizing our actions. It is a survival mechanism to look at
the brighter side of things even when you’re being humiliated."
The story, described by Xu as a "dark comedy," tells of Ah Q, a
hapless character who has no individual values or thoughts of his
own. Instead, he relies solely on his surroundings to dictate his
well-being, whether he is beat up or becomes the victim of cruel
injustices. Ah Q, however, passively accepts his bleak fate and
tries to make sense of the situation by pinning the blame on
himself or rationalizing that everything is for the better.
"Ah Q is always trying to figure out how to be a winner even in
a situation where he’s totally a loser," Xu says. "He’s some guy
you can laugh at, but at some point you start to feel very
uncomfortable because you realize you do that, too. You get into a
bind and you say, ‘Oh well, I guess it’s best that way or I meant
it to be that way.’"
For Xu, the morality tale doesn’t just represent the weakness of
human nature, but the detriment that allowed the senseless
destruction and deaths in China’s cultural revolution from 1966 to
1976.
Xu lived through this period where the people in general did not
try to stop the mass hysteria resulting from the Chinese
government’s campaign to eliminate individual opinion.
Learned people were condemned to live in secluded areas while a
riot endured for 10 years. It was a time when everyone followed the
crowd no matter how terrible the result.
"If (the Chinese at that time) had taken this story and this
character seriously and used it as a kind of mirror, I’m sure that
the cultural revolution (would not have happened)," Xu says. "The
power of this literature is that if you look at yourself honestly,
you won’t simply react with whatever the times are. You’ll think
for yourself with what you think is right and wrong."
Though Lu’s work garnered world-wide respect, its controversial
messages caused some of his stories to be censored in China. Lu,
however, was celebrated as an anti-hero and one of the most
important literary figures of the century.
"(It was) later in his career that (Lu) wrote, ‘The reason I
wrote Ah Q-like stories is because if we don’t recognize the Ah Q
characteristic among all of us, then we will see Ah Q all over the
place, and Ah Q will live, and that would be a tragedy for China,’"
Fan says. "That was prophetic in a way."
Marks says, "Xun Lu wrote the story because he was trying to
write something that would make his fellow citizens look at their
character and to change their character to make a better
country."
"(Lu’s stories) were all social criticisms. In some way, they
also suited the various political agendas. It’s interesting that
it’s always been interpreted differently at different times."
Through this performance, the interpretation of "Ah Q" is made
even more flexible, as Xu’s version also explores his life as
impacted by Ah Q. The result is a narrative that alternates between
telling the story that Lu created and the interpretation that Xu
expresses as the narrator in the performance.
"(Xu) helps (us) to see the story about Ah Q, but also now and
then he will stop and talk about something he remembers from his
own childhood, so it moves into a personal narrative," Marks says.
"It gives us more understanding of how Ah Q is not only a literary
or theatrical creation but really has great potency that was in
Ying Xu’s life."
Xu’s and Mark’s interpretation will be realized on the stage by
six performers and 11 musicians, combining Chinese opera and
western postmodern dance. Three of the performers are also visiting
professors, including Xu, Liu ZiWei and Liu Qi-Chao. After this
premiere, "Ah Q" will still be performed during the winter quarter
but by UCLA students for neighborhood high schools.
Not only a semi-biography or a history lesson, the story of Ah
Q, Xu hopes, will shake the audience member’s sensibilities in
their perceptions of themselves.
"I thought that Ah Q’s character is very common," Xu says. "We
can see his character inside of us. Not just the Chinese but
Americans. I would like to draw people into the theater piece and
then let them discover their own sense of … that mirror that
reflects themselves in it."
PERFORMANCE: "Ah Q" will be presented at the Dance Building on
Dec. 4 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 5 at 5 and 8 p.m.; and Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for general admission and $8 for seniors and
students. For ticket information, call (310) 825-2101. For more
information, call (310) 825-3951.
UCLA Center for the Performing Arts
The department of world arts and cultures presents "Ah Q," a
performance about China’s best known literary character.
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