abstractSynopsis:
In the fin-de-siecle Taiwan, relationships between men and women became more and more beyond imagination. The rule for older generation was no longer applicable but the new rule had not yet been established. There was no guiding principle, only rules for games. There was no vision for brand new world. What one could do was search in the dark, just like a near-sighted person looking for glasses. Everybody needed love, but no body trusted love. The only thing one could trust was the lack of trust. The destruction of a relationship always led to a regretful end. With witty lines and complex plot, A Bed for Four tries to present the love, hate, separation and union of two couples. In the play, all characters were theatrical practitioners. Lao-Chi was a senior actor and his wife, Shiao-Dou was a traditional, down-to-earth woman. Shiao-Gun was a writer-director and his wife, Anna, was a more modern, romantic woman. Lao-Chi emphasized more on spiritual life while Shiao-Gun preferred a sensual one. Shiao-Do was down-to-earth, while Anna was obsessed with the feeling of unbalance. The two couples, due to their jobs, often gathered around to discuss the issues of two sexes and theatre. Because of the differences of their beliefs and personalities, arguments often occurred, which brought not only sorrow but also happiness.