The Shanghai Gesture: A Play

By John Colton and John D William

"The Shanghai Gesture" is a gripping four-act melodrama that delves into the dark and decadent underworld of early 20th-century China. Set within a high-class brothel in the international settlement of Shanghai, the play centers on the formidable figure of Mother Goddamn, a woman whose iron will masks a lifetime of suffering and a deep-seated desire for retribution.

As the narrative unfolds, Mother Goddamn hosts a dinner party for a group of influential Westerners, only to orchestrate a spectacular and ruthless exposure of their past sins and moral hypocrisies. Through its intense dialogue and atmospheric setting, the work explores themes of colonial exploitation, cultural conflict, and the destructive power of secrets. The play is renowned for its vivid characterization and its unflinching look at the human cost of betrayal.

A classic of 1920s theater, "The Shanghai Gesture" remains a powerful example of the era's dramatic storytelling, offering readers a window into a world of intrigue, revenge, and the complex social dynamics of a colonial port city. This work stands as a significant contribution to modern drama, blending high-stakes emotional conflict with a unique historical and cultural backdrop.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025979915
• ISBN13: 9781025979915
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 258 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"