Theatr Clwyd, Yr Wyddgrug/Mold – 17th September 2024
Reviewed by Julie Noller
5*****
I really enjoy theatre trips, I love to watch how people are acting around me and how they change as a story progresses. Smaller shows are always my favourite because you can fully appreciate, one person may well be performer, stylist, designer; not to mention roadie and even writer. For these very reasons Michelle Yim deserves a standing ovation! For an hour she delivered her monologue, never faltering, constantly looking a little vacant as if lost in thought remembering a past too painful to remember.
The Ballad of Mulan originated possibly as far back as the 5th century, sometimes referred to as a folk song or poem, like any art form it can be interpreted in countless ways and retold many many times over the years. It is an anonymous tale that remains undated which will always bring the statement is it fact or fiction? Mention Mulan and you instantly think of a Disney Princess but reality is often far from a cartoon aimed at bringing joy to both young and old.
Mulan appears on stage with its simple yet effective set a heavy wooden chair, battle ready spear and sword, noodle bowl and drink, giving the impression of now General Mulan having risen the ranks and after 10 long battle weary years being billeted alone in her own quarters. The scars on her face, the heavy catnap filled with dreams of war some would say PTSD scars stand matter-of-factly as a byproduct something to just live with. This is a true retelling of war, there’s no images on screen only the ones you see inside your own head but the impact is clear in the dog eat dog, someone must survive and as Mulan cries “I want to live” her survival instinct is incredible this one could say is a strong, empowered woman, driven by her desire to be something more than a female born to marry, have children and sew. Growing up she loved to hunt ‘when you see a rabbits eyes is it the buck or doe, how do you know?’ climbing trees, being dressed as a boy her Mother believed punishment yet unwittingly she potentially unleashed her daughters strengths and forged a plan Mulan would use to save her family from ruin as her elderly sick Father was called to war.
Mulan slots into the army learning quickly as she knows she has to, believed young and naive her fellow recruits to the ranks are too concerned with their own futures or lack of a future to even contemplate he may actually be a she. Mulan fights not only against an enemy who looks as bewildered as she does but she fights against a culture that does not allow, not just her but a woman or even a man to go against what is expected.
So we join General Mulan as she looks back over a life short in years maybe but a lifetime lived on a battlefield. 10 years have passed and this is now her last battle, what will happen next? Return to her family? Yet she doesn’t want children, she is comfortable living as a soldier as a man. But she is weary missing her family and fearful they believe her long dead and so she eats her last messy meal of noodles and drinks a little too much drink to steady the nerves. Now she’s ready for her future and the lights on this story go dark.
Michelle Yim as Mulan is indeed a woman, a warrior and a legend. I must also add I am full of respect for Michelle who thanked us all as family for joining her on the night of the Harvest Moon and greeted each and every one of us at the exit for photos and hand shakes and high praise even hugging the little girl who was scared by tales of killings but what an ending to understand at an early age, tales and stories can alter and an actor is just playing a part even if you become totally immersed.