Though it also presents some questionable points, the play effectively explores complex themes of feminism and modern relationships, offering many highlights in theme and characterisation.
“The Dream of Being a Madame” depicts two women, May (Joyce Lim) and Lairs (Li Xu), who have different values and personalities but become close friends. The play is driven by dialogue, exploring themes such as feminism, traditional and modern female identities. The play has many highlights in terms of theme and characterisation, but there are also some questionable points.
May, an American-born Korean living in London, is a thoughtful and reflective character representing a modern woman who strives to maintain independence and self-identity. However, Lairs, a Chinese international student, embodies materialism and impulsiveness. Her relationship in the play is driven more by economic and social interests. However, Lairs’ character is also full of tragedy. influenced by her upbringing and family, and her behaviour reflects deep inner insecurity and vulnerability. The play explores the issues of feminism and gender roles. Through the dialogue and experiences of May and Lairs, playwright Qi Wang presents the difference between traditional and modern views of women’s roles, particularly in terms of personal autonomy and societal expectations regarding women’s careers and family roles. Love and relationships are also one of the central themes of the play. The interactions of the characters in the play demonstrate different understandings of love, from May’s genuine emotional connection to Lairs’ more transactional relationships. By comparing these relationships, playwright Qi Wang criticises the shallowness and utilitarian nature of love in modern society, provoking the audience to think deeply about the nature of emotions.
Although “The Dream of Being a Madame” has a number of commendable aspects in terms of thematic depth and characterisation, there are also some shortcomings, which weaken the overall effect of the play to a certain extent. While the characters of May and Lairs are well-developed, are more fully fleshed out, but Lairs’ character development seems stagnant, with her actions driven more by impulse than by a lack of considered growth or metamorphosis, making for a lack of emotional drive. Additionally, portraying a Chinese woman as a somewhat shallow character, resembling a “gold digger” or someone obsessed with love, might risk reinforcing the Western patriarchal stereotypes of Asian women. In some parts, the pacing of the play seems slow, especially in the characters’ daily interactions and emotional reflections. While this pacing helps with characterisation, the overly slow pace may weaken the audience’s interest.
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