REVIEW: SHE AND I at The Glitch (Vault) 23 February 2024

‘raising awareness … not China as we know it from the western lens’ ★★★

A body on the floor. Lifeless. Covered with a dark red burgundy organza fabric material. Then there was movement. Slowly the character came to life, accompanied by the eerie opening soundtrack that is fitting for a scene straight out of a horror movie. The atmosphere was tense. The dimmed lighting created a sense of foreboding and for the audience members who were lucky enough to be seated in the front rows, the thrill was tangible, more so because they felt so close to the action. Located in the basement of the unique intimate creative space that is The Glitch in Waterloo, SHE and I, a one-woman show performed as part of a Pinch of Vault, has kept the audience on the edge of their seats for a good 45 minutes.

A young Chinese girl found herself embroiled in a homicide case involving her flatmate, a hairdresser who had run away from her hometown and her abusive husband. After the body of the murdered husband was discovered in a nearby lake, a police investigation was conducted. Only the young girl was being grilled by the police, as the hairdresser was nowhere to be seen. The versatile talented performer Ayisha Mi acted out all the character roles and takes us on a journey from the police station to flashbacks of the life of the hairdresser and of the young girl, and to the scene of the crime. But as with all good crime stories, there is always a twist. A different version of what took place prior to the murder being committed was told, and it has now become clear that what actually happened is more blurred. Who committed the murder? Where is the hairdresser? For avid consumers of mystery movies such as Agatha Christie and her Poirot, this unresolved case had surely left us wanting for more.

SHE and I is adapted from a true story that happened in China and this work-in-progress piece has been created by a full East Asian cast and crew. Tragedy triggered by domestic violence seems to be prevalent in such a misogynistic patriarchal society that is China.  Not China as we know it from the western lens.  The truth is domestic violence gets reported to the police, but support provided to the female gender is limited. Almost non-existent. The creative team hopes to achieve more awareness raising of the issue through theatre making.

Photography: Belle Bao

SHE & I

Writer-Xiao Mi

Actor-Ayisha Mi

Director-Belle Bao

Venue THE GLITCH in WATERLOO

Performances 22-23 Feb

ETCETERA THEATRE in CAMDEN

 24 and 27 Feb

Box Office https://www.etceteratheatrecamden.com/events/she-and-i

Reviewed by Melanie Lam