Post-Impressionist art master Vincent van Gogh, who lived in obscurity, but saw his creations as the sunshine of life. His talent was only appreciated by the world after his death. In his short life, he experienced the loneliness of a creator, the torment of the mind, and the frustration of emotions. However, when everyone magnified his pain, they overlooked the fact that there was someone who became his spiritual support throughout his life, protecting his creations, supporting his pursuit of ideals, and providing him with the most practical financial support. Today, let’s talk about the guardian behind this great painter, Theo van Gogh.
As the younger brother of the great painter, Theo van Gogh’s achievements and talents are often overlooked by later generations, simply because Vincent van Gogh’s brilliance shines too brightly, overshadowing his equally exceptional artistic talent. Finally, after more than a century, someone has turned the page on the story of the brothers Theo and Vincent, bringing the deep bond between the two van Gogh brothers to the stage, and elevating Theo, a figure rarely mentioned, in art history. The recent play “Theo” presented by the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre provides audiences with a fresh perspective in terms of subject matter and interpretation, allowing everyone to gain a deeper understanding of the brothers’ obsession with art and their profound friendship.
Vincent van Gogh’s two brothers spent most of their lives apart, mainly relying on letters to stay connected. Of the over 900 surviving letters, nearly 800 were written by the older brother, Theo, to his younger brother, Theo. The brothers’ images became more vivid through their written conversations. This stage play uses letters as the medium for their dialogue. Although they are on the same stage, they communicate across distances, supporting each other despite being miles apart.
In the 104-minute drama, 90% of the dialogue between the actors is facing the audience, but their conversations are filled with care and passion, revealing a strong brotherly bond. The sincerity lies in the fact that there is no overly contrived language in their lines, as they share ideals, recent events, love, and work, discussing almost everything. After Wensheng left his hometown, he never had a proper job and had to rely on Theo for financial support.
Theo chose to pursue a career in selling paintings while watching Vincent chase after the path of painting. Faced with his unpredictable brother, he unconditionally supported Vincent in purchasing painting materials and encouraged him to continue creating. As a younger brother, Theo took on the responsibility of taking care of his older brother. In some historical records, it is said that Theo’s talent and passion for art were no less than Vincent’s.
Wen Sheng once said to his younger brother, “When you choose to go into business, you will never be able to become an artist.” When creation is tied to profit, one is destined to lose one or the other, and cannot truly create freely. Perhaps Theo understood this truth early on, which is why he remained steadfast in his choice. If both individuals dive headfirst into the unpredictable world of creation that cannot guarantee a livelihood, they may not be able to fulfill the role of the indispensable post-Impressionist classic painter in art history today.
Wensheng and Theo are both people of deep friendship, they are extremely intelligent, but Theo sees reality clearly, while Wensheng focuses more on artistic pursuits. The play does not clearly explain Theo’s true ideals, only that he tends towards a stable life and loves to share art with others. Even though the two have had major disagreements over goals and directions, they still care about each other. Theo occasionally resents his brother’s dissolute and capricious behavior, but still sends him money regularly. They say that ignorance is bliss, during the period when Wensheng suffered from mental illness, he relied on painting to get by. However, Theo, who sees everything, probably also suffers greatly.
Apart from the sincere performances of the actors, it is worth noting the innovative visual effects used in the drama to depict how art connects the lives of two brothers. The drama invited Zhou Junhui to serve as a painting consultant, with a large piece of white paper hanging behind the stage as a wall. Wen Sheng rubbed charcoal powder on his hands and began to paint back and forth on the paper. Although the two could only communicate through the air, the painting in the venue always connected them. In the end, Wen Sheng, whose mental state deteriorated, uncontrollably tore the wallpaper, symbolizing the rupture between the two. It’s not about emotions, but about farewells in life.
Theo spent his whole life following and admiring his brother Vincent, he even named his son Vincent as well. In the final scene of the play, the two brothers finally meet again after a long separation, in a nursing home surrounded by iron bars. In the last days of Vincent’s life, he finally moved back in with his brother, and they spent a happy summer together, reminiscent of carefree days spent wandering the mountains in their youth. After Vincent’s suicide by gunshot, Theo also passed away shortly after due to illness.
The scene of death was not overly dramatized in the play, only allowing the audience to witness Wen Sheng’s madness and Theo’s helplessness. They lived in pain but still protected each other until the end. Although not mentioned, in the final letter between the two brothers, Wen Sheng wrote, “Under the chaotic sky, there is a vast field of wheat. I have no need to express sadness and loneliness. True great art is the work combined with the artist’s entire life.” In the end, he chose to end his life in that golden wheat field. For Theo, his brother’s departure was the most painful thing in his life, and no matter how much emotional compensation there may be in the future, there is a lingering loneliness that flows through his life.
Because of Vincent van Gogh’s achievements in art, the world forgave his eccentricity. However, when more is discovered about the lives of the artists, one realizes Theo’s influence on Vincent. If Vincent is a vessel full of talent, then Theo must be the one who shaped him. Setting aside their artistic achievements, just looking at the deep brotherly love between them, this drama is worth watching. “Theo” will be performed until July 11th, and the audience cannot miss this latest sincere work from the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre!
Image source and ticket details: Hong Kong Repertory Theatre
