Small Ripples In A Dead Pool, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, City Hall Theatre June 19 Above all, 'Small Ripples In A Dead Pool' is a visual feast. The backdrops were all imposing blow-ups of wall posters condemning the invasion of Christianity, Western medicine and 'yanggweizi' (the 19th-century equivalent of gweilo).
The barren stage design was compensated for by the colourful costumes and paraphernalia.
The lack of a solid set called for mobility among the cast, and the fluid movements of the characters had clearly been carefully choreographed and well executed. Elements of dance were woven into the performance, including a graceful, symbolic depiction of a love scene.
While this production was visually stunning, sadly, this is where the superlatives end - what points the piece gained in its presentation were thrown away by the less than impressive storyline.
The production is based on a novel by Sichuan writer Li Jieren, who tried to depict the social upheavals in rural China during the turn of the century through the love story of a country woman, Deng Yaogu.
As the country found itself culturally battered by the intrusions of the Western world, Deng also found her existence - bound to a loveless marriage with an idiotic shopkeeper - rocked by a bizarre affair with the local macho gang leader.