Chimerica

Title: Chimerica
Author: Kirkwood, Lucy
Price: $25.99

A powerful, provocative play about international relations and the shifting balance of power between East and West. Tiananmen Square, 1989. As tanks roll through Beijing and soldiers hammer on his hotel door, Joe - a young American photojournalist - captures a piece of history. New York, 2012. Joe is covering a presidential election, marred by debate over cheap labour and the outsourcing of American jobs to Chinese factories. When a cryptic message is left in a Beijing newspaper, Joe is driven to discover the truth behind the unknown hero he captured on film. Who was he? What happened to him? And could he still be alive? A gripping political examination and an engaging personal drama, Chimerica examines the changing fortunes of two countries whose futures will shape the whole world.

Sydney Theatre Company and
Colonial First State Global Asset Management present
CHIMERICA
By Lucy Kirkwood

Previews 28 Feb 3 Mar 2017
Season 6 Mar 1 Apr 2017
Australian premiere

Everybody needs a hero

As tanks roll through Tiananmen Square, a young man holding shopping bags walks out to block their path. In a hotel, a few hundred metres away, a young American photojournalist trains his lens on the scene and captures a piece of history. A hero is born.

Twenty years later, a cryptic message is left in a Beijing newspaper that gives a clue to that heros identity. Who was the man in front of the tanks? What happened to him? And could he still be alive?

Inspired by one of the 20th centurys most recognisable images, Lucy Kirkwoods compelling script premiered at Londons Almeida Theatre before winning an Olivier Award for Best New Play and going on to a West End season. Chimerica tracks two decades of US-China relations alongside the personal stories that exist beyond the margins of history. Filmic in scope, this is both an astounding, globe-trotting thriller and a rich, character-driven drama.

After winning Helpmann Awards in 2016 for both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, Mark Leonard Winter (King Lear) returns to STC together with Jason Chong (Netflixs Marco Polo). Our award-winning Kip Williams (All My Sons) directs a visually enthralling and spectacular production.

\"A phenomenon... Puts a whole world on the stage.\"
The Telegraph, UK

Duration 3hrs (including interval)
Content warning Strong language, violence

Publisher: Nick Hern Books
Publication date: 08/08/2013
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781848423503
Publishing status: OS Archived