Anti-Gone 俺抬杠?!
March 2025, A./R./T. New York Theatres.
August 2025, Edinburgh Fringe.
Anti-Gone 俺抬杠?!
Written by Yiwei Lu
Directed by Dejing Eloise Wang
Presented by Zihe Tian
Scenic Design by Junran (Charlotte) Shi
Costume Design by Yinxue Wang
Lighting Design by Zijun (Neil) Wang
Sound Design by Henry Shen
With performances by Luna Peng, Lana Zhang, Tina Qiu, Zhi Qu, Jaden Zhao, Yuchen Zhou, Zihan Gao.
In a Northern Chinese village in the 1980s, on the final day of a three-day burial ceremony, the mourning hall becomes a battleground.
Polynikes, the eldest son of the Oedipus family, lies in his casket, but his spirit lingers in the human world. His late brother Eteocles waits to drag him into the afterlife. Meanwhile, their surviving sisters are at odds. Antigone refuses to honor the brother she despises, and Ismene tries to keep her from causing more trouble. At the same time. Polynikes' young children attempt to force their way into the adult world with their own childishly almighty will.
What Critics Are Saying
The Wee Review
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Sound Behind Curtain
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“Whether the oppression falls upon women, intellectuals, or those seeking to grieve openly, whether it takes place within the state or within the family, whether forty years ago, centuries past or nowadays, the play explores the ancient system underneath it all. Confucianism, with its strict codes and hierarchies, continues to shape much of East Asian life.”
“Bold and inventive theatre piece”
“Overall, Anti-Gone is an imaginative and emotionally engaging work that brings Chinese family life, cultural memory, and generational tensions to life. It is a thoughtful production - absurd, thought provoking, and stands out for its creativity and heart.”
Photo Credits: Katie Woo @katieaw.jpg