★★★★
Faye Yan’s Is There Work On Mars? is set in a dystopian world, where a woman is trying to pass Nylon Tusk’s rigorous testing process to get a Worker’s Visa to move to Mars. After answering personal questions, the system declares she is best suited to a STEM and finance job because she is Chinese, even though she has studied international law and has dyscalculia, which renders her unable to answer any of the maths questions she is asked.
It’s clearly satirical, but equally, it invokes fear that her situation could easily become a reality. Despite having a degree, the lack of humanity during the application process rules her out immediately to be a lawyer, as she is only fluent in English, and not native. It would almost be comical how she is stereotyped as being ideal for a maths role, if it wasn’t so shockingly racist.
There are segments outside the lab where we gain more insight into Yan’s life. The play flashes back to Yan when she is in school, and her teacher ridicules her for counting on her fingers, describing her as a tumour due to her inability to complete the problems. Another scene takes us to college, where she parties heavily, and ends up in hospital on her 21st birthday. The use of the beer pong game, where there are ADHD symptoms written inside the cups, is effective, even if it does feel a little bit stilted and awkward in places. Lighting changes indicate where we are, meaning the narrative is never confusing.
The highlight by far is Yan’s dancing, which is an unexpected surprise. She is a mesmerising dancer, performing the contemporary and interpretive numbers beautifully. Her chair choreography is excellent, and at one point, she leans so far to the side it’s a wonder she doesn’t fall off. Overall, it’s a treat to watch.
The interviewer does find and exploit her weaknesses to convince her to enrol in the programme when she is close to quitting. She doesn’t feel like she fits in on Earth due to having ADHD, but is persuaded that on Mars, the qualities that make her different will be appreciated. She agrees to go, but has to be medicated in order to be “normal”. There’s unmistakable parallels between this and the negative effects that some people on ADHD medication report, as well as the chilling realisation that she is being drugged to comply with Nylon Tusk’s orders: when she dares to criticise one of his social media posts, the personal assistant states her medication is wearing off, and asks for the dose to be increased.
ZOO Playground have a fantastic programme at this year’s Fringe, and Is There Work On Mars? is no exception. It’s a fascinating insight into how women experience ADHD, while poking fun at stereotypes and capitalist culture.
Is There Work On Mars? will be performed at Zoo Playground – Playground 1 until 24 August as part of Edinburgh Fringe.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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