The Poison of Polygamy

THE POISON OF POLYGAMY caused PETE’S EYEBROWS to form a HIGH ARCH.

The Dramatic Premise

When we first meet Huang Shangkang, he is not a good man. As the narrator tell us, he may be the hero of the story, but he is no hero.

He neglects his wife, Ma. He spends most of his time – and their fleeting money – in the opium dens of Guangdong. Indeed, his addiction gives him his nickname, Sleep-sick. 

A miserable life appears to await the childless couple.

But then Ma’s cousin offers to fund Sleep-sick’s journey to Australia to make his fortune on the Victorian gold-fields. There is, however, a catch. Sleep-sick must pledge to put his love of opium behind him. Sleep-sick makes the pledge and embarks upon his treacherous south-bound journey to Australia.

The first Act is replete with adventure as Sleep-sick, and his burgeoning gang of like-minded friends, arrive in a strange land, filled with unwelcoming, strange people. There’s a long trek. There’s long days of toil in the gold mines. There’s racist laws which disadvantage the Chinese prospectors. But there’s also hope.

Act Two, however, is dominated by the entry of bond-maiden, Tsiu Hei. Originally intended to be married off to one of Sleep-sick’s comrades, Tsiu Hei rejects him because he is too old. But Sleep-sick’s behaviour is not limited by his scruples so, having cast his eyes on the beautiful woman, he takes her as his own. Sleep-sick’s own impetuous pursuit of hedonistic pleasure is, however, fraught with danger as he returns to China and introduces his second wife to Ma, his long-suffering first wife.

The Poison of Polygamy is based upon a novel, of the same name, written by Chinese Australian author, Wong Shee Ping, first published in 1910. Playwright, Anchuli Felicia King, and Director, Courtney Stewart, have done a splendid job adapting the story to the stage and drawing out the themes from the original text so that they have additional meaning to modern, multi-racial Australia.

Sublime Acting

The Poison of Polygamy is blessed with a strong ensemble cast, but the three principals deserve special mention.

Shan-Ree Tan was mesmerising as the story’s primary narrator and in the role of Sleep-sick. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, such was the magnetism of his presence and the charisma of his performance.

Kimie Tsukakoshi was equally eye-catching in her role as the temptress, Tsiu Hei. She, too, held my attention with each beautifully articulated word and seductive turn of her body.

Finally, Merlynn Tong played Sleep-sick’s first wife, Ma, with a compelling quiet dignity which I admired. 

The Moment

Mild spoiler alert, but the Poison of Polygamy features death and murder. I will avoid the temptation to disclose who dies, in what order and at which character’s hand. But each death was performed with convincing integrity, including the three murders which occur at the climax of the second Act.

For more information on The Poison of Polygamy:

The Poison of Polygamy – Sydney Theatre Company

(Originally posted on 25 June 2023.)