ACT+THREE.TH

//Before Act III begins.//
 * < **Scene/Purpose/Page Number** || **Characters/Actors** || **Props/Costume** || **Blocking** ||
 * Pg. 46


 * Synopsis**: It is an early fall morning in 1945 right after the Japanese have been defeated in China. Kuomintang agents and American soldiers are abundant in Beijing. The Yu Tai Teahouse has become more rundown since Act Two and more "Don't discuss state affairs" and "Pay in advance" signs are posted. Wang Lifa's son Wang Dashuan is getting ready to open the teahouse for business for the day as his wife Zhou XiuHua and their daughter Wang Xiao Hua walk in. Zhou XiuHua is explaining to the hungry Wang XiaoHua the reason noodles are unavailable. The scene is dark because the shutters are closed.

-darkness -rundown || Narrator: Kate
 * Purpose:** This scene introduces the ominous mood present throughout the rest of the act.

Wang DaShuan Zhou XiuHua Wang XiaoHua || **Props:** Signs: "Don't discuss state affairs" and "Pay in Advance" Chair || **Blocking:** Wang DaShuan is holding a chair up because he is reorganizing and cleaning up in the teahouse. Zhou XiuHua and Wang XiaoHua are looking at and talking to each other as they enter the teahouse. || //Wang LiFa's entry and hiring of the hostess//
 * Pg. 49


 * Synopsis**: The teahouse is light now since Wang DaShuan has removed the window shutters. Ding Bao, a seventeen year old come-on hostess, has just arrived in the teahouse and is in the middle of conversation with Wang Da Shuan about working at the teahouse when Wang Lifa enters.

-the descent of the business into prostitution -Wang Lifa at first not in the discussion of hiring Ding Bao, suggests him becoming obsolete, not part of the descisions, the future of the teahouse not in his hands || Narrator: Lesedi
 * Purpose:** Shows the deterioration of the teahouse

Ding Bao Wang LiFa Wang DaShuan || **Props:** None

Wang LiFa enters, "looking vigorous," yet wearing "shabby clothes" || **Blocking:** Wang DaShuan is near the window as he has just removed the window shutters. Ding Bao and Wang DaShuan are talking to each other about hiring Ding Bao as a hostess; Wang Lifa enters the teahouse looking vigorous, but in shabby clothes.
 * Costume:**

|| //Two customers are told to pay in advance//
 * Pg. 50


 * Synopsis**: The first and second customers have just sat down at a table in the teahouse when Wang LiFa comes up to them and informs them that they have to pay in advance. The customers become infuriated at this new policy. First customer is yelling at Wang LiFa. Shortly after which the two customers leave the teahouse without paying at all. During the whole scene, Ding Bao stands around looking on indifferently.

-loss of the customers reflects the overall decline in business -going into debt, money in advance needed to ensure customers pay || Narrator: Pam
 * Purpose:** Deterioration of the teahouse:

First Customer Second Customer Wang LiFa Ding Bao || **Props:** Table Chairs (benches)

Shabby Clothes - Wang LiFa || **Blocking:** The two customers are at the table. Wang LiFa is standing near their table pointing at the "Pay in Advance" sign, informing the customers that they must pay in advance. The first customer, who is more infuriated than the second customer about this rule, is in the middle of standing up angrily. The second customer also gets ready to leave the teahouse. Ding Bao stands on the side. While she is present in the scene, she does not interact with the customers.
 * Costume:**

|| //Kang Shunzi's confrontation with Fourth Aunt Pang//
 * Pg. 61


 * Synopsis**: Fourth Aunt Pang asks Kang Shunzi to return home and become part of the royal family. She promises Kang Shunzi a position as Empress Dowager so that they can work together to control the emperor. However, Kang Shunzi angrily refuses, saying she never wants to return to the family that she was forced into as a purchased wife so many years ago. Little Soothsayer Tang, who works for Fourth Aunt, is trying to calm down Kang ShunZi and asks her to consider the offer carefully. Wang Lifa looks on without intervening.

-interest in success (in terms of social status) -another case of conflict || Narrator: Pam
 * Purpose:**
 * -**the issue of selling daughters/ purchased wives exposed once again

Little Soothsayer Tang Kang Shunzi Fourth Aunt Pang Wang LiFa || **Props:** Chair Table Tea (on the table) Counter || **Blocking:** Fourth Aunt Pang who has been sitting down on a chair up to this moment is about to stand up. Kang Shunzi is standing in front of Fourth Aunt Pang, yelling at her. Little Soothsayer Tang is standing next to Kang Shunzi as he tries to calm her down with his hand over her shoulder, so that she can reconsider the offer. Wang LiFa is present in the scene (standing behind the other characters), yet not directly involved in the argument between Fourth Aunt Pang and Kang Shunzi.

|| //Confrontation about the teachers' rebellion//
 * Pg. 67


 * Synopsis**: Little Erdezi, who is cracking down on rebellious teachers, catches teacher Xie Yongren trying to escape and the two men get into a fight. Wang XiaoHua remains in the sidelines cheering them on.

-in previous acts, conflict had been outside in the courtyard of the teahouse -now conflict brought inside, suggesting the descent into disorder and chaos within the teahouse -the frantic escape of the teachers adds to the tense atmosphere || Narrator: Emily
 * Purpose:**

Little Erdezi Xie YongRen Wang XiaoHua || **Props:** Small bundle || **Blocking:** Little Erdezi throws a punch at Xie YongRen. Xie YongRen punches Little Erdezi back, also trying to his feet. Little Erdezi falls after Xie YongRen's punch. Wang XiaoHua is next to them, watching and cheering the two men as they fight.

|| //Sending Zhou XiuHua and Wang XiaoHua away//
 * Pg. 70


 * Synopsis**: Wang LiFa has just been beaten by Little Wu XiangZi and realizes the dangers his family is facing. In order to protect his family from the people who want to take over the teahouse, Wang LiFa sends Zhou XiuHua and Wang XiaoHua away. Although Zhou XiuHua says that she will not leave Wang LiFa behind by himself, Wang LiFa insists that he will stay at the teahouse until his death.

-the family running Yu Tai teahouse is being split apart -reflecting the desperation of the times -emotionally charged atmosphere || Narrator: Adrian
 * Purpose:**

Wang LiFa Zhou XiuHua Wang XiaoHua || **Props:** Schoolbag Bundle Money Old photograph || **Blocking:** Wang LiFa, Zhou XiuHua and Wang XiaoHua all stand near the door as Zhou XiuHua and Wang XiaoHua are about to leave the teahouse. Wang XiaoHua has her schoolbag and bundle with her. Zhou XiuHua is holding Wang XiaoHua's hand; they are in a hurry. Wang LiFa gives an old photograph of the teahouse and money to his daughter-in-law, Zhou XiuHua.

|| //Qin ZhongYi arrives//
 * Pg. 72


 * Synopsis**: Wang LiFa has just met with Fourth Elder Chang when Qin ZhongYi enters the teahouse, looking for Wang LiFa. Delighted to see his old friends when he is particularly feeling depressed due to the takingover of YuTai teahouse that will soon take place, Wang LiFa welcomes both Fourth Elder Chang and Qin ZhongYi. Then, the three old friends sit down to discuss the ways their lives have changed since the reformation.

-reflecting back, comparing the past with the present lives of the three men -exhibits just how much the situation has changed || Narrator: So Yeon
 * Purpose:**

Qin ZhongYi Wang LiFa Fourth Elder Chang || **Props:** Small basket Tea Table/Chairs

Old, shabby clothes - Qin Zhong Yi || **Blocking:** Qin ZhongYi is near the door as he has just entered the teahouse; he is wearing old, shabby clothes. Wang LiFa standing near the door, greets Qin ZhongYi; his arms are wide open. Tea is to be served on the table nearby. Fourth Elder Chang also stands next to the two characters, welcoming Qing ZhongYi as well. || //Fourth Elder Chang throws funeral money while shouting funeral cries//
 * Costume:**
 * Pg. 75


 * Synopsis**: Fourth Elder Chang reminisces about his old friend Second Elder Song, and how he was unable to give Second Elder Song a proper funeral due to his poverty. He subsequently takes out some fake funeral money which he had picked up for his own funeral and throws it in the air as if he were rich (sarcastic gesture). QingZhongYi and Wang Lifa participate in the fake funeral cries.

-exasperation at his current situation of poverty -Qing Zhong Yi and Wang Li Fa also participate in the funeral for themselves, signifying all of them abandoning hope in life and welcoming death || Narrator: Kate
 * Purpose:** The deterioration of the mental states of the characters

Qing ZhongYi Wang LiFa Fourth Elder Chang || **Props:** Funeral money || **Blocking:** The three characters are all sitting at the same table. Qin ZhongYi and Wang LiFa are looking at Fourth Elder Chang, as they are participating in their fake funeral cries. Fourth Elder Chang stands up as he throws funeral money in the air.

|| //Wang LiFa's walk to death//
 * Pg. 76


 * Synopsis**: Wang LiFa picks up some funeral money from the ground and exits. Ding Bao and Little Xin Yan who have just entered the teahouse before Wang LiFa leaves, do not seem to pay attention to him. More characters arrive and continue to talk about the takingover of YuTai teahouse after Wang LiFa leaves.

-picking up funeral money foreshadows Wang Li Fa's suicide -acceptance of death -Wang Li Fa's lack of importance or prescence exhibited through other characters' lack of acknowlegement when he walks out || Narrator: So Yeon
 * Purpose:**

Wang LiFa Ding Bao Little XinYan || **Props:** Funeral money || ** Blocking: **

Wang LiFa is at the doorway as he is leaving the teahouse, holding some funeral money he has picked up from the floor. DingBao and Little XinYan are standing further away from the door. They are looking at each other, talking, as they are not paying much attention to Wang LiFa. || //Wang LiFa's death//
 * Pg. 77


 * Synopsis**: Wang LiFa is discovered to have hung himself. While Little Pockface Liu is in shock, while the other characters appear to be rather nonchalant.

-Other characters are indifferent to the death of Wang LiFa || Narrator: Crystal
 * Purpose:**
 * -**Little Pockface is shocked at the loss of Lifa, a longtime installment at Yu Tai

Little Pockface Liu Director Shen Ding Bao Two Kuomingtang Police Officers Little Xin Yan || **Props:** Cigarettes - Director Shen || **Blocking:**

Little Pockface Liu is near the doorway as he has just entered the teahouse, running and shouting out that Wang LiFa has hung himself. Director Shen has a cigarette in his hand. The other characters who are all standing close to one another as they have been talking up to this point, look at Little Pockface Liu, yet do not show any concern for what has just occurred. || //Props:// //Bundle, Chair, Table - in the classroom..// //Basket, Old Photograph, Money, Cigarettes - Emily// //Funeral Money, Signs, Schoolbag - Pam// //Tea - So Yeon// //Characters:// //Wang LiFa:// Crystal //Wang DaShuan:// So Yeon //Wang XiaoHua:// Pam //Zhou XiuHua:// Emily //Ding Bao:// Kate //First Customer:// Adrian //Second Customer:// Lesedi //Little Erdezi:// Adrian //Little Pockface Liu:// Lesedi //Little Soothsayer Tang:// Emily //Fourth Aunt Pang:// Kate //Kang Shunzi:// So Yeon //Qing ZhongYi:// Pam //Xie YongRen:// Lesedi //Fourth Elder Chang:// Emily //Director Shen:// Adrian //Little Xin Yan:// Emily //Two Kuomingtang Police Officers:// Pam, So Yeon