REVIEW：Cinderella and Frankenstein’s Monster Are Dead - Not Just a Story of Migration, but of Language and Identity

The theme of belonging among immigrants has long been a focal point in contemporary theatre. However, Cinderella and Frankenstein’s Monster Are Dead moves beyond a straightforward narrative of migration and identity. Instead, it offers a compelling and nuanced exploration of language and identity, particularly through the lens of intergenerational experiences among Chinese immigrants in the United States.

The play presents varied attitudes toward the heritage language—Mandarin—across different generations. Gina, the grandmother of the protagonist, represents the first-generation immigrant who strives to fulfill the American Dream by mastering English. In order to accommodate her employers, she even adopts the English name ‘Gina’, replacing her original Chinese name. Her success is measured in how thoroughly she replaces her native words with English ones, mirroring Frankenstein’s desire to become more human through language. Gina takes pride in her linguistic transformation, seeing it as a marker of assimilation.

Her granddaughter, by contrast, speaks little Mandarin and lives in a household where the language is no longer spoken—because, as her family believe, “there’s no need.” She identifies strongly with her American identity and initially shows little interest in her cultural roots.

Zhao Lan, a Chinese exchange student living with the family, inhabits a liminal space—trapped between Mandarin and English, between Chinese and American identity. She envies her American friend, who looks like her in some ways but is entirely American in manner and expression. She resents how easily her classmates are embraced at school, while she remains invisible and unimportant despite her efforts. Zhao Lan hopes to gain a sense of belonging by playing Cinderella in the school play, even working hard to eliminate her Chinese accent. Ironically, it is a Mandarin song, Orchid, that helps her win over the teacher and earn the role.

Later in the play, Zhao Lan becomes upset when her friend helps an American classmate take over the role she had earned, especially when her friend gives away the Cinderella dress. However, the friend later learns and sings the second half of Orchid —the part Zhao Lan cannot sing herself—as a gesture of reconciliation and solidarity. In this moment, Zhao Lan realizes that she does not need to be Cinderella or Frankenstein’s monster. What matters most is self-acceptance. At the same time, her friend comes to appreciate the value of learning Mandarin and reconnecting with her Chinese heritage.

The narrative is rich and emotionally resonant, offering a refreshing and linguistically aware take on identity construction. The use of Orchid as a central motif is especially powerful. Not only does the song reference Zhao Lan’s name (“Lan”), it also becomes a symbol of connection, reconciliation, and cultural continuity. The lyrics speak of unfulfilled longing and quiet disappointment—mirroring Zhao Lan’s own realization that she can never truly be Cinderella. Yet, the song’s final hopefulness suggests that she is also not Frankenstein’s monster; by embracing herself, she can still look toward a future filled with possibility.

That said, one narrative weakness lies in the resolution of Zhao Lan’s conflict with her friend. While the friend's gesture of learning the song is moving, her earlier act of giving away the Cinderella dress could have had a more deeply damaging emotional impact. Due to time constraints, perhaps, Zhao Lan’s internal emotional transition is not fully explored, making her forgiveness feel somewhat abrupt and less convincing.

★★★★

Cast & Creative Team

Performer - Lan Jiang
Writer, Director, and Producer - Langyue "Petunia" Hu
Stage Manager - Diana "Xilu" Xiong
Prop and Scenic Designer - Paige Meegan
Composer and Sound Designer - Lily Rose Barron
Costume Designer - Seo Yun
Lighting Programmer - Erin Burbridge

Company instagram: @beachcombers_theatre

Venue Address：77 St James's Street, East Sussex
https://www.brightonfringe.org/events/cinderella-and-frankensteins-monster-are-dead/