Random Musings

“Awake With Nenek” Poster

This year I basically have but one serious resolution and that is to get more into musical theatre and stuff.

(“Stuff” in the above refers to straight plays as well, because I think although there are singular differences between a straight play and a musical, there are also many similarities as well.)

I think thus far I have been doing quite well in my resolution.

Anyway, a few months back I got to know someone at my cousin’s wedding who happened to be the artistic director of a local theatre company called “We Colour People Theatre and Company” (website here).

This intrigued me greatly and we talked more and she informed me of their (then) upcoming production called “Awake With Nenek”, which plays at the Play Den@Arts House from last Friday (26th Feb) till today (28th Feb).

I attended last evening’s performance both because I was excited to see what the production was about and also as a show of support.

I wasn’t expecting it to be funny at all, but it turned out to be hilarious when it had to be.

The script was clever and exceedingly funny at times, but credit must also go to the talented cast for bringing out the humour in the lines.

But behind it all, there were some very serious truths being depicted.

The artistic director Tian Lye not only played a role in the play, she also wrote the script and directed it as well.

Highly remarkable.

I personally felt that the entire production was a very commendable effort, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The cast was incredible.

Definitely one of the better plays I’ve attended.

The play was entirely based in one location – the void-deck funeral wake of Nenek.

It’s a play about how the descendants of Nenek squabble at her funeral wake over matters pertaining to the inheritance…and in the process all the dirty laundry is being aired out in public during the wake.

It’s a play about family ties…or the lack of it.

The scenes get ugly at times…but then again, this isn’t exactly something that is uncommon in today’s society is it?

Just how strong are family ties in modern Singapore?

Just how much thicker is blood than water these days?

And that’s what plays mainly serve to do – reflect the state of society in which we live in.

Theatre is the mirror of the life we live.

Tian Lye herself writes in the programme notes: “I have no answers. I can’t offer you any either in the play.”

Indeed, theatre doesn’t always provide the answers, but it definitely raises the questions.

And that is one of the main purposes of a play.

All in all, I’m pleased to be able to know about “We Colour People” and will definitely be supporting them in future productions in whatever way that I can.

Here’s to a better future for local theatre.