What do you do with a man like Pinkerton?

Be careful who you give your heart to and when should you take it back?

The North Wales Opera Studio production, Madame Butterfly, in the Holroyd Community Theatre from 8 - 10 September. In this opera, I am one of the Geishas, like Cio Cio San, who entertained man for a living, not by choice, but by our unfortunate circumstances.

In the Opera Madame Butterfly, Cio Cio San, nicked name Madame Butterfly, was only 15 years old. She became a geisha after her father died. She married American Lieutenant, Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton and dreamed of a future of love and fidelity. Though infatuated by Cio Cio San’s youth and beauty, Pinkerton only entered this marital arrangement because he can cancel it anytime by Japanese law at the time in the turn of the 20th Century.

Question: The marriage system seems to favour man in Japan at the time. Was there anything Cio Cio could have done to protect herself?

Cio Cio San’s family deserted her during the wedding when they found out that she gave up her religion and converted to Christianity, Pinkerton’s religion. Cio Cio San started to live her life in seclusion, on the hillside overlooking the port of Nagasaki.

Not surprisingly, Pinkerton went back to American soon after the wedding. He promised her that he will return when “the robins start to nest”. However, the robins have nested 3 times yet there is still no sign of Pinkerton. Everyone persuaded Cio Cio San to remarry, however, every marriage proposal was rejected including the one from the most wealthy man in her city.

Question: Cio Cio San believed that her husband will return. When 3 years have passed, what other believes would be more helpful and valuable to her?

Pinkerton finally returned after 3 years, not alone but with his American wife. He came not for Cio Cio San but for their child. Cio Cio San’s heart was completely shattered and she killed herself in hopelessness.

Question: If you were to rewrite this story, how would you like it to end?

Find out more about the performance details here.