Many innovative techniques are used to explore themes of identity and existence, but somehow it is too abstract for the audience to connect with
Vanishing is set against the backdrop of two diners, one in Hong Kong and the other in Los Angeles, and revolves around two characters, [A] and [B]. A mysterious telepathic phone call connects them across different times and spaces, allowing for a conversation that transcends temporal and spatial boundaries. At the heart of this play is the concept of memory tied to objects and spaces, which the creators have attempted to explore using cardboard box props and video projections. However, these innovative forms also render the play with many abstract symbols that leave the audience feeling confused.
The primary stage props are these cardboard boxes, printed with telephone keypad numbers and images of diner food. Throughout the play, the two characters deliver their lines while simultaneously moving, reorganizing, and assembling the boxes, creating a dynamic stage space. While I can roughly understand that the process of assembling and dismantling the boxes might symbolize the characters’ exploration of their self-identity, I still struggle to grasp why the boxes need to be moved at certain points. Many of these actions felt lengthy and repetitive to me, affecting the overall rhythm of the performance.
The identities of the two characters are ambiguous. Through their dialogue, where words like “vanishing” and “disappearing” are frequently mentioned, one can infer their anxieties and fears about existence. The play attempts to explore themes such as identity and the meaning of existence through the dialogue between the two characters. But the characters lack concrete backgrounds and motivations, making them overly abstract and symbolic, which makes it difficult for the audience to empathise with them. And the dialogue is filled with metaphors and symbols but lacks a clear direction or conclusion. This abstract way of expression prevents the audience from truly feeling the characters’ pain and struggle. What’s more, the dialogues of the show are in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. While I can feel that the creators may have been trying to convey a concept of pushing back the Tower of Babel. Even with the subtitles added to the projection, it still made understanding the play more difficult.