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Boiling frogs slowly

Taiwan's generational differences are put under the microscope in Creative Society's Countdown. PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE CREATIVE SOCIETY

Creative Society's (創作社劇團) earlier plays dealt with lost idealism in Taiwan's rapidly changing society and the frustration people feel when they have to make unwanted compromises.

Recently, however, the theater group has altered its focus slightly, though the theme of lost ideals bubbles below the surface. In its latest work, Countdown (倒數計時-夜夜夜麻完結篇), the third in a trilogy that began with The Mahjong Game (夜夜夜麻), followed by Deja vu (驚異派對-夜夜夜麻2), playwright Chi Wei-jan (紀蔚然) gives full expression to Taiwan's generational differences. The play began last night at the Metropolitan Hall and runs through Sunday.

"I'm talking about the 'me generation' in Taiwan," said Chi referring to the play's younger characters that care little about politics and instead focus on making money. "So I'm trying to figure out today's young people."

Whereas The Mahjong Game featured men in their 50s mourning their lost dreams and Deja vu investigated the spiritual wasteland of people in their 40s who achieved financial success at a young age, the third and final installment takes a critical though comedic look at those in their late 20s and early 30s who, Chi says, are drowning in a false world of conspicuous consumption and performance.

"They cannot help being selfish," he said.

Countdown is at the Metropolitan hall today, tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm. Tickets are available through NTCH ticket outlets.
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