Caught

by Christopher Chen

Full Length Drama / An art gallery hosts a retrospective of the work of a legendary Chinese dissident artist who was imprisoned in a Chinese detention center for a single work of art. Recently profiled in the New Yorker, the artist himself is present, and shares with patrons the details of an ordeal that defies belief. A labyrinthine exploration of truth, art, social justice, and cultural appropriation, where nothing is as it first appears. ( 2 men, 2 women)

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama

48 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Jules DiGregorio · Rating 4 out of 5]

50c at the Steep Theatre garage sale. Makes me want to write a play about art history

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great play where the playwright really messes with your head, but in a funny, smart way. I read this for a play discussion group and remembered in the first paragraph that I'd seen it performed. When I did, it was the kind of theatre experience where you bond with the people sitting around you because of what happens. So smart.

[caitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting commentary on cultural appropriation, the pursuit of “truth” in journalism, and the western view of the east. not the biggest fan of the form of the play and am having a difficult time understanding how it would be staged other than an immersive experience… but like what the play is trying to say.

[stephie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two artists/lovers of a deceased revolutionary come face to face with his lies, his deception, and paradoxically his deep desire for honesty and the truth. A play within a play within a play all performed in a museum setting of installation art and interactive theater.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent play. I love the questions of ownership and story and appropriation. It's a great absurd play.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. This play defies plot summary, but read it, read it, read it.

[Chambers Stevens]

Loved!
Chen is a playwright I want to know more about!

[Jordan Neff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mindfuck

[alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating little play on whether society values the honesty and vision of an artist or whether they want an artist to live up to their image more.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

really interesting use of meta-theatrical humor & reference, a little loop-ey but overall fascinating

[mar]

wish I’d read this as a companion to my Chinese contemporary art seminar back in 2017 !!

[Dakota Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

idk. maybe i’d have to see it staged. The interview scene is terrible. Pretentious playwriting at its finest.

[laika · Rating 5 out of 5]

masterful

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Truly accurately represents a specific phenomenon that is very difficult to concisely explain. Asks some interesting questions. Wonderfully modern play.