It’s been on the calendar just staring you down as it slowly creeps closer. One more thing to plan in your already hectic life. You have arranged for ayi to stay late that Saturday, the kids will order pizza and watch Netflix (which is what you actually want to be doing). The salon appointment is booked for the morning and now you just have to plan the actual date night.
Ok, we jokingly exaggerate. But according to Dr. Dianne Grande in an article for Psychology Today, this is a real issue for many couples. The cost and stress of planning and preparing for a night together in the midst of kids, chores, work, and school can feel like just another thing on your to-do list, which all too often gets ignored altogether. And that’s a shame because multiple studies published in everything from the New York Times to the Guardian have shown that married couples who go on semi-regular date nights have better communication, healthier romantic lives, less stress, and are significantly more likely to stay married than those who don’t.
But even if you do manage to eke out the time, it’s easy to fall into the same old routine at your normal restaurant or bar. Dr. Grande says “Usually, the challenge for long-term couples is to get out of the routine that they have fallen into and put in some effort to make their lives together more fun and joyful.”
Dr. Grande may have made the diagnosis, but we have the cure. Here is your prescription for shaking up date night. On Feb 25 and 26, Date Night China and Middle Kingdom Creatives is presenting a show they call One Night Stand. It’s a series of six short comedic plays all about the thing that brought you together in the first place…love!
I caught up with two of the beautiful minds behind the production – Nathan Williams, co-founder of Date China, and Ryan Usher co-founder of Middle Kingdom Creatives – for the inside scoop on what is sure to be a great event.
Tell me a little about the show. What can people expect?
RU: They can expect six short plays all centered on dating and love. They range from absolutely absurd and goofy to tender and poignant, with every shade in between.
NW: One Night Stand will be a hilarious look at the highs and lows of relationships and the whole rollercoaster of emotions we go through when we’re in love.
Ryan, you are not only helping to produce but you are directing as well. What have rehearsals been like so far?
RU: With so many plays rehearsing at the same time, finding rehearsal spaces has certainly been challenging. This has led to us hosting more than a few rehearsals in restaurants! We have turned quite a few heads with the insane stuff we rehearse and I’m sure plenty of locals have had stories to tell their family and friends about what the “crazy laowais” have gotten up to this time!
You both have regular day jobs. How did you get involved in the theatre scene in Beijing?
RU: I started writing/ hosting murder mystery events with a friend and through them met a few fellow creatives who went on to form Middle Kingdom Creatives with me. It is our production company from which we produce a litany of things including murder mysteries, plays, and our very own radio play!
NW: During Covid, my friends and I were tired of life being on hold, we wanted to put on a play but were too worried about social restrictions. Then we had the brilliant idea to start an audio comedy-drama about a detective in a dystopian world…For this show (One Night Stand) I have my foot in two camps, one for the acting community with Middle Kingdom Creatives and one in Date Night China, where we host events so people can make new relationships and find friendship and more – so this show seemed like a match made in heaven!
It can be really important for people to have hobbies and interests outside of their work and home lives, especially parents. How can people who have full-time jobs and family obligations but miss their acting days get involved in the theatre community here?
NW: After the success of Drunk Shakespeare in December, we really want to produce more shows and revive the community theatre company in Beijing. We have a WeChat group where we post details about auditions.
You both have fabulous girlfriends, tell me why this would be a great date night for the two of you?
RU: Due to the huge variety of relationships portrayed in the show there will certainly be something that resonates with anyone who goes on a date to see it! It certainly will serve as a great icebreaker to open up the pandora’s box we all have that contains bad dating stories!
NW: Theater is a great way to spend an evening, to see life portrayed on stage, and to have wonderfully talented actors channel a world of emotions can be extremely moving and exhilarating. The theater is the perfect conversation topic at a restaurant or bar afterward
One night Stand will take place Friday, Feb 25 and Saturday, Feb 26 at the SHANG Building so there are plenty of delicious dinner and post-show drink options right above the theatre space. It is sponsored by QMex and Catherine deFrance and the price of a ticket includes a free drink! Scan the QR code above for tickets and information.
Keep Reading: Free Kids Meals & Great Grown-Up Dishes at Amazing Thai
Images: Nathan Williams, Ryan Usher, Canva
