The Power Under the Throne

I am not your rolling wheels
I am the highway
I am not your carpet ride
I am the sky
- Audioslave
I’ve been developing a theory that stories centering women can be much more interesting than stories with men as the protagonists.
I don’t know if it’s accurate, but it just seems like a story can have so many more challenges for female characters to overcome, because whatever the setting or era, men are likely in control, creating the highways that determine where you can go, and being the very sky that encompasses you.
So it is with Unrivaled by SIS Productions, now playing at Seattle Public Theater’s space.
The story is set a thousand years ago in imperial Japan. The Empress Teishi retains a court and among them is a writer, Sei. The action of the play starts when another writer, Murasaki applies for a position at court. To do that, she must interview with Sei.
There is a great scene with the two women where control of the conversation shifts back and forth until finally, there is equilibrium. Sei offers the position and Murasaki accepts.
Soon, with Teishi as a sort of mediator and catalyst, Sei and Murasaki recognize and even celebrate their differences as writers and as people. All three become close friends.
Then here comes Michinaga, scheming to claim the throne he feels was denied to him unjustly. Teishi, directly addressing the audience, has told us about the lines of succession, the intrigue and the backstabbing. Michinaga might be justified, and he might not be, but he is going to roll over anyone to get where he wants to go.
Michinaga’s machinations threaten to upset the balance between the three women. It’s not clear if their friendships, their vocations, or their station in society will endure. It’s the way they thread through these obstacles that makes the story.
I have been or am fast becoming a big fan of all four actors in this play. Adele Lim as Empress Teshi, Kevin Masayuki Tanner as Michinaga, Alana Pascual as Sei, and Pearl Lam as Murasaki. They were bold when needed, subtle when needed, comical when needed. Just so fun to watch them work. (Note that Masayuki Tanner was understudying the night I was there, Michael Wu normally plays the role.)
Unrivaled plays through June 2. So, go see it while you have the chance.

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