The Solo Performances of Winston Tong

Extract

Winston Tong's solo theatre works—he has created more than half a dozen—meld widely divergent forms and sensibilities: his extreme economy of means is akin to types of traditional Chinese theatre; his use of puppets, dolls, and silhouettes recalls elements of Japanese Bunraku and Javanese shadow puppets; and his startling, pervasive eroticism has roots in nineteenth century French Symbolism.

“A Rimbaud,” which dates from 1976, Is a phantasmagory of tortured sensuality. It came, Tong says, “out of terrible alienation and a desire to make connection with some more ethereal thing. I wondered what love was. And I was kind of anguished.”

Seven small votive candles are lit as footlights. Then Tong quietly, solemnly walks on stage carrying an overnight-size black suitcase.