In an era of rapid urbanization, migration, and displacement, Meanwhile Elsewhere resonates deeply with contemporary realities. We live in cities that are constantly in flux—built and rebuilt, expanding and disappearing, never truly finished. The performance speaks to this collective experience, reflecting on themes such as:
The Fragility of Cities & Civilizations – Much like Kublai Khan’s empire, modern cities are in a constant state of negotiation between growth and decay. The performance explores the transient nature of human-made spaces and questions what truly remains after time has passed.
The Search for Meaning in a Changing World – Just as Marco Polo describes cities that are metaphors for human emotions and fears, Meanwhile Elsewhere invites audiences to see their own cities with fresh eyes—to question the invisible forces shaping them.
Personal & Collective Memory – We all carry cities within us—the streets of our childhood, the places we have left behind, the homes we have lost or found. This performance acts as a mirror, reflecting those inner landscapes back at us.
The Power of Storytelling in Shaping Reality – As Polo tells Khan, the act of describing a city shapes its very existence. What stories do we tell about the places we inhabit? How do those narratives define who we are?
Ultimately, Meanwhile Elsewhere is a meditation on impermanence, a love letter to the cities we have built and the ones we have only imagined. It asks the audience to consider: If you could map the places that have shaped you—not just in geography, but in feeling—what would your city look like?
