This weekend, the Brighton Fringe has a new offering from a group of actors striving to present an authentic story with a strong message.
Set in the depths of China, at a pivotal point in their great struggle, ‘Bound By The Wind: Enchoes of the Past‘ is an ambitious play that aims to tell the next part of Mulan’s story, bringing home the tragedy and overwhelming loss experienced by people at war. The story shows the desire to overthrow the powerful general, with a young girl persuaded to sacrifice her safety to save her community. But Mulan is hiding a secret. Mulan is a woman in a man’s world, determined to finish what she has started at any cost.
If you thought you knew the story of Mulan from the Disney classic cartoon, this play takes it further while adding a new layer of realism. Throughout, there were dramatic scenes of combat and violence, expertly delivered by the actors with realistic moves. We also heard lamenting singing, the characters showing their passion and emotions through their voices. As the action built, the tensions between the players intensified, and their determination was evident.
This is an ambitious production, trying to tell an epic tale, but by making it about the interactions among three strong characters, it became personal, and the story had more meaning. What we particularly liked was the quiet moments where the actors’ faces became the storytellers, their nervousness and vulnerability clear as they tried to manipulate each other and achieve their aims. Delivered partly in Chinese (with subtitles), the piece had the effect of taking us to a different place and time, one where these characters would have behaved exactly as they were doing on stage.
This is a powerful piece, created by The Whisper Current Productions company, which is working with emerging artists. It is not a twee story of a brave young warrior, but a memorable play about the tragic loss, personal sacrifice, and the futility of war experienced by everyday people. We are keen to see how this innovative company continues to shape its work and build on its ability to convey meaning.
Remaining Performances:
Monday 25th May – Rotunda Bubble, 5.00 pm
Tickets are available from Brighton Fringe from £8.00
Cast List:
Le Cai (25 May) as Mulan
Shiwei Chen as Enkhtuyaa
Xinyue Xing (Sammi) (24 May) / Yitong Fu (25 May) as Hailanda
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