Reflections of Oz in Beijing - Beijing, China
Beijing, China
SUNDAY MORNING, 9AM
It's a chilly sunny day in Beijing, as we prepare for the coming Christmas period. As the city is decked out in its Xmas fineries, I am preparing for my last day acting my heart out as both the Mayor of the Munchkins and a pie-faced witch's guard in the Beijing Playhouse's production of The Wizard of Oz. Back in September I attended my two auditions for this holiday musical pantomime. I remember thinking that my acting ability was definitely superior to my musical talents. I guess our esteemed director felt the same way. I of course did not know a soul but I was struck by the diversity of the people auditioning, from Chinese to Europeans to Filipinos, Brits and Americans, with me the token Aussie, a melting pot of budding thespians. Three months later and that melting pot has formed a cohesive whole and we know each other, after all in recent weeks we all get changed in our costumes together. That, after all, is the theatre. Theatre is about the collective experience no matter how big or small the role is and every one us from the five year old munchkin to their aging mayor, has hopefully made a contribution. By the time we put this often farcical Wizard to bed, the performance has become cohesive and often seamless. My one memorable scene is the pie scene, messy and chaotic as it often appears, and my on stage partner, a Canadian teacher Nicole, and I have learned to work together as a comic duo, generating laughs through non verbal facial expressions and comic timing. It's been a great lesson learned and now as the pie scene approaches we never know from one performance to the next what will happen, but it's usually a messy affair and generates the most laughs and a solid applause. That, my friends, is the theatre. We all learn to know each other, trust each other and become part of this beautifully syncronized unit on stage, delighting young and old alike.
This past three months has given me purpose, despite the exhaustion of it all, but the rewards are in full abundance. As a foreigner in Beijing, I have seen a lot and learned a lot, and the opportunity to be as part of Beijing Playhouse has been an immeasurable part of my experiences in this strange but fascinating city.
My life after Oz will take some getting used to, but the undeniable fact remains that I was assured three months ago that I would make friends along the yellow brick road and that is what true community theatre is about. So it's time to get ready and eagerly embrace this final day at Munchkinland, the cast party that follows and a collage of memories.
SUHDAY EVENING
The final show ended with much laughter and some tears. As i return to my ordinary life outside of the yellow brick road, I can honestly say that this remains an enriching experience that one will always cherish. Our final pie scene was messy, hilarious and spontaneous, but it was symbolic of the fun that this pantomime presented itself. Even our esteemed director got pied at the end, all out of love, naturally. After cleaning up and our final bows were taken we eventually headed to the Hilton Hotel in the classy Wanfujing area, and enjoyed copious amounts of food and merriment,. Community theatre at its best is about family, and this family was able to bond one last time. There were tears, singing and fond farewells. I am proud of my small contribution to this show, and the men, woman and children who gave their all, not to mention director Michael and producer and friend Chris. All the world is indeed a stage and for three months I was a mayor with a blue mustache and a soldier with a Mario hat here in Beijing, China. Who could ask for anything more? So as I end my Wizzy blog, I want to wish all who read this, a very merry Christmas. And Dorothy Gaaasaaaaaale.... you are a hero after all!