Of crazy dreams and nightmares

AS a stage play, Taiwan Dreams Episode One: Dream Hotel had strong dramatic elements going for it. There is a yin and a yang version of the play (possible dual views in one play), a hermaphrodite for a protagonist, a lost dynasty, and the epic search for identity that includes the tale of two cities and two extreme political regimes.

While the protagonist was on his journey though, it was more like the director brought the audience on this psychedelic mind-messing trip that we couldn't really disembark from for the three hours.

Not that it wasn't interesting, but there's only so far good visuals, interesting music and a slick production can take you; when the story took many self-indulgent turns.