I also went to watch The Community Theatre's Sayang,
a piece by youths from rental flats that Beyond Social Services serve.
And that is the challenge posed to the residents of Jalan Bukit Merah. In a multipurpose hall set up to be a theatre, audience members were invited up to become the show's characters and enact their proposed solutions. As people performed what they thought and discussed what they saw, a conversation started. How should Jamil's father be speaking to his son? How should people around them (neighbours, the social worker) approach families which have been through so much? How can a village raise a child?
Even though this is reportedly the third run of the programme (I went to its previous run last year: Behind Open Doors), Sayang still made great strides. This year, there was greater emphasis on how everyone (the village in "it takes a village to raise a child") could play a part in helping one another and give solutions. And I think it is an important aspect to keep in mind because this theatre programme is created by the community, about the community, and for the community.
My Dad asked to come along. He was very taken in by it after watching the performance in full. It was very "down-to-earth" and I guess it resonated with him somewhat since he grew up in the stretch of rental flats along Circuit Road. But then, this understanding sadly didn't seem to get past the "other-ing"; It was a problem only rental flat residents face. Perhaps this raises the question on whether community-based theatre are meant for the general public? How can a community theatre programme be more than just an expose and dismantle the "others" in the conversation?
But I'm quite confident that this is something that Beyond Social Service's The Community Theatre will continue to explore and hone in time to come. Just as how this year's installation continues to surprise with its different aesthetics, and a more cohesive programme with an emphasis on how this was all about the community/village - and what they can do individually and collectively. I wish it success and eagerly look forward to the next instalment.
As a Forum Theatre piece, Sayang is
obviously void of a happy ending. Jamil's life is upside down. His mother has passed
on and his father works late hours to support them. He is always told to take
care of his younger sister which leaves him little time to embrace his youth.
As Jamil flirts with the fringes of the law in attempt to reclaim some freedom,
he catches his father with a new woman. How will life get any better?
And that is the challenge posed to the residents of Jalan Bukit Merah. In a multipurpose hall set up to be a theatre, audience members were invited up to become the show's characters and enact their proposed solutions. As people performed what they thought and discussed what they saw, a conversation started. How should Jamil's father be speaking to his son? How should people around them (neighbours, the social worker) approach families which have been through so much? How can a village raise a child?
Even though this is reportedly the third run of the programme (I went to its previous run last year: Behind Open Doors), Sayang still made great strides. This year, there was greater emphasis on how everyone (the village in "it takes a village to raise a child") could play a part in helping one another and give solutions. And I think it is an important aspect to keep in mind because this theatre programme is created by the community, about the community, and for the community.
Lights and shadows used added an aesthetic to the community site.
Although it does not dabble into Boal-ian, society-wide
oppression, Sayang was very focused on starting
conversations on making a more closely knit family. And I am quite sure that
this was achieved as children, youth and adults took turns to go up and
elaborate on the viewpoints that they had.
My Dad asked to come along. He was very taken in by it after watching the performance in full. It was very "down-to-earth" and I guess it resonated with him somewhat since he grew up in the stretch of rental flats along Circuit Road. But then, this understanding sadly didn't seem to get past the "other-ing"; It was a problem only rental flat residents face. Perhaps this raises the question on whether community-based theatre are meant for the general public? How can a community theatre programme be more than just an expose and dismantle the "others" in the conversation?
But I'm quite confident that this is something that Beyond Social Service's The Community Theatre will continue to explore and hone in time to come. Just as how this year's installation continues to surprise with its different aesthetics, and a more cohesive programme with an emphasis on how this was all about the community/village - and what they can do individually and collectively. I wish it success and eagerly look forward to the next instalment.
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| A poignant conclusion: Actors improvise a final scene with words of advice from the audience. |