Following “Every Brilliant Thing”, “Lungs” was the second play by Duncan MacMillan that 4 CHAIRS THEATRE chose to bring to theatre audiences in Taiwan. Deeply moved by the former show, I had looked forward to “Lungs” for months.
The play consisted of lots and lots of dialogues in a linear chronological narrative. It cut to different times and/or spaces frequently. Rather than characters, actions, and events, the text itself was more of philosophical speculation and emotional communication regarding human reproduction。
In the story, the female character had anxiety about environmental protection leading to reluctance to have a child. In my view, it is a left-wing first-world problem and is not common or easy to be understood in the social context of Taiwan. The playwright used climate change as a metaphor for inevitable changes in a long-term relationship. Therefore concern about climate change and environmental protection served as the core issues and symbols in this work.
The stage was double-sided with a minimalistic style. White geometric furniture gave an “ikea” vibe. It was very “neutral” like a rehearsal room. I imagined that the show could take place in a void, a non-space. I’m curious about what other ideas the director and stage designer once had for this production.
A large electronic screen was hung right above the stage center, and its shape reminded me of a giant cell phone. The screen displayed an uncertain picture, which looked like a slowly melting glacier or shattered glass with raindrops. The lighting is also minimalistic, and the electronic screen played a surprisingly key role.
The play was originally named “Lungs”, nicely translated to “呼吸” (meaning breath in Mandarin) in this production. Breath represented life, air, as well as the ups and downs of relationships. From having a child or not to questioning human overload on this planet, everything was (just) a part of the circulation of the universe. Nonetheless, I am personally fond of the original title “Lungs”, because this word is “literally more visceral”. In addition, lungs come in pairs anatomically.