The Far Country

[soid]

 I really liked this play, The Far Country, at the Atlantic Theater Company. 

A story of Chinese immigrants at the wake of the Chinese Exclusion Act, in the late 19th century, when Chinese were seen as "an inferior race" "wholly incapable of assimilating" (quotes from Congressional records). They were almost entirely restricted from immigration to the US. A story of Taishanese immigration, historically one of the largest immigrant groups from China – even today many people in this province only dream of emigrating somewhere. And so, a story of finding immigration loopholes, going on a boat, then detention on the Angel island in the San Francisco Bay, months of interrogations, even years: constantly having the choice of going back, or keeping pretending to be someone who you are not; pushing on, so much energy. A story of blending identity, loosing it but staying distinct – and why? — so much pushing on, energy, but for what? And the cycle repeats: bring others with you, bring a wife, be lucky. And there is always this "sin" element in it: either legally, or by the morals, by the loss of relations and connections of the native place – always, someone finds a reason to judge it, to pain it a "sin".

B was asking why did they want to immigrate to the US so much? Yeah, why? Everyone is different, I guess. But immigration seems to be an idea in minds, perhaps bigger than an idea – maybe an idea in minds of masses, or groups –often born in "sin", a tremendous push for some elusive aim; or, maybe even genetic, the idea that pushes people to move from place to place, like nomads, repeat the cycle. Something truly human in it: animals, plans – they don't go all over the places during their life. It seems to be much deeper psychologically than simply the appeal of money or jobs, as often understood. 

The Atlantic Theater Company is so cozy, just 200 seats in the theater; I should check out more of their plays. We were sitting in the center of the 2nd row, which was grand and probably affected our perception by a lot. It's just so much difference seeing faces of the actors in theater meters away, seeing the actor's feelings, the vibe in the air is there; you cannot be untouched by it. Great light work and sound as well; sometimes, it would shift into unconsciousness – those are my favorite parts – playing ambient, reading poetry, and projecting art, alluding to far places.

(Another story, a loophole, I learned in Mexico that then Chinese immigrants would travel to Mexico, learn some Spanish, dress like Mexicans and would also pass the US border as Mexicans. So interesting)