The World Of Extreme Happiness: A Story Of China's Urban Migrants
Premiered in September 2013 at London’s theatre venue The Shed at the National Theatre, The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig offers a perceptive look at the challenges facing contemporary China, from rural migration to its burgeoning cities to the status of women in a society characterized by the lofty ambitions and soaring dreams of its newly urbanized residents.
From the opening scene, in which the newborn Sunny fights to stay alive in a bucket of pig slop meant to kill her (a girl is a thing, not a human, says her father Li Han), The World of Extreme Happiness reflects on the human struggle to improve and work towards a better life.
From the start, the story seems set to follow a rags-to-riches trajectory as Sunny (Katie Leung), the beaten down, second-class Li daughter, leaves her pigeon-obsessed father (Daniel York) and dreamy brother (Chris Lew Kum Hoi) to join the ranks of millions of other peasants who leave their villages to migrate to industrial cities along the Pearl River Delta on the southeast China coast. Here, in the seething city, Sunny lands a job as a janitor and meets an ebullient female migrant worker (Vera Chok) who takes her to a self-help evening class with pseudo-religious overtones. You are entitled to a better life, Mr. Destiny (Junix Inocian) preaches, so grab hold of your destiny, and change it.
Indeed, transformation underpins the narrative, as rural workers are transformed into city people, Chinese society transformed from traditional Confucian hierarchies and values to a capitalistic and materialistic society, and China transformed into a global economic and political powerhouse on the backs of workers’ labour. ‘Change your destiny’ is, it seems, the mantra of the moment.
Rich and poor are, at least, equal in their aspirations for a better life. The rich want power, and more money, and so do the poor. If attaining their dreams means turning a blind eye to reality, then so be it. The irony is that in spite of the title, no-one is happy and happiness seems ever more unattainable.
Rather than attempting to answer such unanswerable questions, The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig presents them to the audience by giving voice to the individuals undergirding an emergent China, who are often overlooked in the prevailing narrative of China’s burgeoning economy and its increasing regional and global power. Rather, through the play’s characters, Ms. Cowhig seeks to give us a glimpse into the Chinese migrant workers’ mentality as they partake in their country’s global transformation. The backdrop for World of Extreme Happiness is the largest migration in human history as 135 to 150 million Chinese move from their rural villages into the city, contributing to the explosive growth in China’s urban population.
The necessary historical context for The World of Extreme Happiness is the rapid transformation of China since the 1980s from socialism to a capitalist global economy.China’s consumerist trend reflects the trickle-down twin effects of China’s globalization and the legacy of the Cultural Revolution. Confucian moral philosophy which once governed familial and social relationships was broken under the intense pressure of the Revolution, leaving a gaping moral hole that has, in many cases, now been filled by money and power.
The pursuit of money and power, however, has its costs; these are played out on the micro level between parents and children, siblings, within rural communities and among migrant-worker relationships. Ms Cowhig’s play gives voice to the hopes, dreams and aspirations of China’s migrant workers. These themes are explored through the characters in The World of Extreme Happiness as its cast of six brilliantly and seamlessly assume the roles of thirteen different multidimensional characters that represent the hopes, aspirations and challenges of contemporary China.
Watch the trailer for ‘The World of Extreme Happiness’ here:
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
- Post ID: 101437
- Sponsored? No
- View Payload