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Adrian, a young teacher, faces a life-altering revelation when his homosexuality and relationship with Ben, an Asian-American documentary filmmaker, come to light. This disclosure sends ripples through the family, testing their attachments to societal norms and roles. The presence of the cheeky Peranakan matriarch adds depth and humour to this captivating two-act play set in Singapore and New York.Alvin Tan’s debut play weaves a compelling tale of love, acceptance, and family dynamics against the backdrop of ancestral worship. As the characters navigate their individual struggles, ANAK highlights the importance of ancestors in shaping their paths.For SIFA 2024, The Necessary Stage has opted for an innovative presentation of ANAK. During the performance, the actors will be improvising the scenes of the play based on a narrative structure. In this way, the actors will fully own their characters, instead of just presenting a staged reading. Such an approach reflects The Necessary Stage’s devising methodology and spirit of theatrical exploration.

Mental illness does not discriminate. Although there is more access to information, many still suffer silently or face stigma when they come out with their illness. What is this experience like for actors in Singapore? Are they expected to just deal with their mental health issues because they are seen as ‘tortured artists’ and ‘so full of drama’?

In 2019, The Necessary Stage presented Acting Mad, a verbatim play based on interviews with 20 actors who have experienced or are going through mental health issues.

This iteration, specially commissioned by Esplanade for The Studios 2022, incorporates new interview texts and testimonies, as well as actors’ responses to the pandemic and its impact on them.

Can sharing our stories, and creating theatre, be a form of solace and support?

 

In real life, there are no rehearsals and no second takes.
 
Actor, Forty features Golden Horse Award-winner Yeo Yann Yann returning to the Chinese theatre stage in a special Huayi commission.
 
This new original monologue sees Yeo collaborating with Cultural Medallion recipients, director Alvin Tan and playwright Haresh Sharma of The Necessary Stage. Candid and conversational, it examines the myriad identities that we take on and cast off in life—just as an actor does when she adopts different roles.
 
Blurring the lines between actor and character, Yeo plays an actress who has just been cast in a contemporary remake of Summer Snow《女人四十》, a 1995 Hong Kong film about a 40-something woman dealing with difficult family issues. The actress has a secret that she is struggling to keep under wraps—she is turning 40 and expecting her first child. Faced with the challenge of juggling a globetrotting job and raising a child, she confronts her hopes and fears. Will she still be able to find meaning in her career, and also play to perfection what could be her most challenging role yet—becoming a mother?

现实，无从彩排，也无法重来。
 
《演员四十》，金马奖最佳女配角杨雁雁回归中文戏剧舞台的全新独角戏。
 
华艺节委约新作，由杨雁雁携手新加坡剧场最佳拍档，文化奖得主及必要剧场导演陈崇敬与编剧哈里斯•沙玛全心打造。她担纲演出单人剧，娓娓道出她扮演的女演员面对事业与家庭两难的生命故事。
 
在剧中女演员的现实生活里，她在各个不同的生命角色间游走，她全力以赴，就像在每出戏里倾情演绎着不同的人物一般。
 
女演员在迈向40人生路之际，接获得奖电影《女人四十》即将重拍的主角重任，此时，她发现自己怀孕了！本是两件喜讯好事，竟让她陷入是否该透露怀孕实情的挣扎。希望与忧心揪着疼：到底她该专注哪个角色？