In a small theatre in a quiet corner of Edinburgh, the 2019 Hong Kong riots are reawakened. Bustling crowds and heavy rows of police are transported into the room through clever lighting choices and precise sound. Fabricated too is a sense of panic, of an immovable force floating above us, and a pull to either sink or swim.
Youth in Flames takes us back to one of the largest demonstrations in the history of Hong Kong, a rally against an extradition bill that became a fight for democracy. Mimi Martin uses her own experiences during this time through her character Millie who, as the daughter of British expats in the region, gives us a unique perspective. The show explores the sense of unity borne from sharing a home and the lengths people will go to to preserve it. One cannot help but think of the growing relevance of this sentiment in our current age.
Mimi Martin makes a formidable debut. Her impeccable acting conjures the multiplicity of her character, whilst her writing conjures the living breathing Hong Kong as something which is both a whole entity and yet a collage of individuals. Though her character embodies solitary naivety, Mimi still manages to show us a bigger picture, single-handedly building an incredible amount of tension throughout the performance. Little by little, the walls around her begin to crumble as we watch, completely compelled and enraptured until the very last second.
Youth in Flames, ZOO Playground, until 24 Aug, 7pm