ZHENG RUOTONG — THE BEE

 

The performance aesthetics of《The Bee》：

1. Description

This play is performed on a minimalist stage, with no realistic sets in the black space. The stage uses changes in lighting—for example, switching from dim, cool tones to bright red—to create a strong visual impact for the audience. At the same time, the sound effects shift from calm to intense, which further strengthens the atmosphere. The play features four actors, and each of them plays several different roles, such as the father, the wife, the police officer, and others. The acting style mainly relies on body movements and changes in the speed and tone of speech to express emotions and meaning.

The story mainly follows an ordinary office worker who, on his way home one day, discovers that his wife and son have been kidnapped. After getting no help from the police, he sets out on a path of revenge, which ends in a crazy and tragic conclusion. The whole play is full of dark humor, and the intense changes in both body movements and speech bring the audience many moments of shock and surprise.

2. Analysis

The Bee shows a strong “modern theater” style in its aesthetic design. For example, the actors show deep psychological traits, and the stage is very minimalistic. Changes in stage lighting reflect the contrast in the characters’ emotions. When the actors switch roles, they don’t rely on costumes or props. Instead, they use facial expressions and tone of voice to create a new identity. This not only highlights their strong acting skills but also creates a sense of “shifting identity,” adding tension to the performance.

The moment that left the deepest impression on me was at the end, when a swarm of bees appeared, and the main character, Ito, stood at the center of the stage. After going through day after day of revenge, he himself turns to crime and loses his humanity. The ending doesn’t clearly tell the audience what happens to him, which leaves space for imagination and invites the audience to think about the theme of human nature in the play.

3．Interpretation

This play constantly challenges the audience’s understanding of human nature. It shows a kind of “aesthetic of violence.” The inner thoughts expressed by different characters also suggest the play’s view on humanity—that everyone has the potential to be both a victim and an abuser. The bee appears three times in the play, and each time it symbolizes a change in Ito’s identity. He starts as an ordinary office worker but eventually becomes the one who leads the violence, changing from a victim into a perpetrator. This also indirectly criticizes the structure of modern society, where people often struggle with their sense of humanity when facing oppression. It gives the audience an immersive experience, making them think about what choices they might make when moral boundaries are constantly being pushed.

4．Judgment

From the perspective of performance aesthetics, this is a highly experimental modern stage play. The actors use language, movement, and facial expressions, along with the atmosphere created on stage, to draw the audience into the story. This allows the audience to feel a sense of unease and reflection as the plot develops. It shows that the theater is not just a space for telling stories, but also a place where the cracks in human nature can be revealed, and the violent impulses hidden beneath the surface of civilization can be exposed.