This like watching Bernardo Bertolucci's epic wide-screen movie The Last Emperor on a laptop. In a miracle of miniturisation, director Joseph Uchitel has crammed a chronicle of the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 and the twilight of the Chinese empire onto the pocket stage of Belvoir St's studio space.

Colin Rose, The Sun Herald

You've got to admire director Joseph Uchitel's chutzpah in choosing to stage an epic historical drama within the compact surrounds of Belvoir's Downstairs Theatre. ... the company deserves top marks for staging a play that for many would pose insurmountable challenges. Every character is Chinese, for instance, and the 1800s royal setting makes for some potentially expensive costumes and sets. A notice in the foyer by designer Karla Urizar is enlightening in this regard, a proud announcement that most of the costumes were made from materials purchased as Spotlight. They look fantastic, even if from the front row you can see every seam.

Tim Benzie, Sydney Star Observer