Shanghai Dolls, Kiln Theatre Review
Millicent Wong in Shanghai Dolls at Kiln Theatre. Photo by Marc Brenner
Written by Eleanor for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
This new play by Amy Ng is based on the true story of two aspirational, rebellious actresses who find themselves swept into the heart of the Chinese Communist Revolution.
This dramatic and well-conceived piece is helmed by Gabby Wong and Millicent Wong, the only two actors on stage, who portray arguably two of the most influential women in Chinese history: Jiang Qing and Sun Weishi. The former was an actress and political figure who played a pivotal role in the Cultural Revolution and creation of the Chinese Communist Party. The latter was the first female director in Chinese history and pioneered Chinese experimental theatre. It is their friendship which drives the plot and provides numerous memorable moments.
Shanghai Dolls is directed by Katie Posner, with excellent lighting and video design from Aideen Malone and Akhila Krishnan. Although the narrative is slow to start, once external elements and the historical weighting are added, I found it to be incredibly gripping and moving. This was a story about two strong women whose historical importance I was unaware of, but I left the Kiln Theatre with a genuine interest in their history and the impact they had.
The show opens with Jiang Qing and Sun Weishi meeting at an audition for Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. They quickly strike up a friendship, but one with a power dynamic favouring Jiang due to her confidence and expressive personality. They soon begin living together, and this friendship grows ever deeper. I particularly enjoyed how the references to A Doll’s House and their first meeting were woven throughout Ng’s plot and were repeatedly a key part of how these women related to each other.
Throughout Shanghai Dolls, the relationship dynamic between these two women shifts as they forge their own paths to remain safe during the turmoil of the Battle of Shanghai and after its conclusion. They find out more about each other’s past, and now each other’s actions will not only affect their futures but also that of China more generally. It was at this point in the narrative that I fully engaged with it. Although the foundations of the story are rooted in these smaller, earlier moments in the play, it is when Qing and Weishi’s impact is more widespread that I really connected with the piece and could not look away.
I thought the use of projected images and lighting was subtle in places but very effective. Malone’s lighting conveyed scene changes with very little and also key moments with the use of a spotlight. Krishnan’s use of projections kept the audience aware of the various time jumps and the political situation at each given moment. I loved the simple staging where Gabby Wong gave a speech with a projected image of the actual Jiang Qing as a background.
The acting in Shanghai Dolls was captivating. Gabby Wong masterfully portrayed Jiang Qing’s character growth from excitable, determined and passionate to that same passion and determination but mixed with menace. Although I did not warm to her initially, I was intrigued how her story would conclude. Sun Weishi, played by Millicent Wong, similarly goes through a journey of growth, although one I found slightly more difficult to follow. But her performance was emotive and intriguing. One of my favourite moments was when the two women were dancing among a large group in a fairly performative manner, but this setting also gave them the ability to speak freely. The way the scene shifts between these opposites was very effective, both due to Gabby’s performance in particular, but also the sound designed by Nicola T. Chang.
In conclusion, Shanghai Dolls takes time to build, and an interest in the history is certainly helpful, but the emotions and historical significance of the play create a compelling show. I certainly left with a deeper understanding of Jiang Qing and Sun Weishi's legacies and their impact on China’s history.
Shanghai Dolls is playing that the Kiln Theatre from the 10th April 2025 – 10th May 2025. Content advice can be found on the Kiln Theatre website.
★★★★
