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There is no past without colonisation,

and there is no future without it.

 

As we commemorate the bicentennial of the founding of Singapore, let us take a moment to express our gratitude to our founding father/s for their foresight in transforming Singapore from a small fishing village to a global metropolis. We are civilised!

 

Let's marvel at how, all over the world, our land has been plundered, our laws kept archaic and our freedoms curtailed by those in power. Let us honour our pursuit of economic success and excess [nothing less will do], as we continue to colonise today—through money, discrimination and land conquests, even in space. We are civilised!

 

Because after all, through colonisation, we are civilised! We are also schooled and silenced.

 

Written by Haresh Sharma and directed by Alvin Tan, Civilised by The Necessary Stage is a groundbreaking new work that takes you on a wild ride through the complications and violence of colonisation past, present and future.

 

Featuring:

Edith Podesta

Ghafir Akbar

Koh Wan Ching

Lian Sutton

and Siti Khalijah Zainal

 

Set Design by Vincent Lim

Lighting Design by Adrian Tan

Costume Design by Max Tan & Yuan Zhiying of MAX.TAN

Multimedia Design by He Shuming

 

 

15 – 18 & 22 – 25 May 2019, 8pm

18 – 19 & 25 – 26 May 2019, 3pm

 

at The Necessary Stage Black Box

Three families have to make a difficult choice: should they allow their children to go through a clinical trial?
Kris struggles to decide if putting her son through tests on a new drug might cause him more distress. Luther opposes compulsory clinical trials on principle, but is also aware these can save lives. Johari wonders if he should sign his children up for these trials to supplement the family’s income.

Should children take part in clinical trials? Should they have a say? Are they old enough to decide?

The Necessary Stage tackles these questions and more in Child’s Play, an exciting and thought-provoking performance that explores the ethical issues surrounding the use of child subjects in clinical trials.

Crossings is a multidisciplinary collaboration between artists from Singapore and Croatia investigating the coexistence, understanding and mixing of different cultures. Join them in this performative piece as they question the issues of home, homeland and belonging while exploring multiculturalism, and the similarities and differences between the 2 countries.

The vibrant port cities of Singapore and Croatia's Rijeka will be sources of inspiration and dialogue for the artists, creating a new work which juxtaposes performance with a sound and multimedia landscape. Created over a series of cultural exchanges, workshops and improvisations, Crossings ask fundamental questions that will make us confront who we are and how we can survive in today's global village.

How do we connect with one another whilst acknowledging and appreciating our differences?

A woman who is a victim of a social scandal proves her fidelity by passing a test. Yet, her society does not believe her. She is exiled by her husband who is dedicated to serving his people and so has to listen to thier discernment to remain in power. Will she sacrifice for the larger good and suffer the unjust allegation to be with her husband or will she walk?

Based on Asian myths, Crossings take us on a journey of the transformation of the self - how one deals with the seduction of being imprisoned and how freedom opens us to meaningless pain.

Crossings is a multidisciplinary collaboration between artists from Singapore and Croatia investigating the coexistence, understanding and mixing of different cultures.

Close—In My Face is a communal collage of what has been shared between a community of people over a six-month period. An array of stories, impressions and thoughts has been arranged to allow the audience to make their own links, imaginings, questions and reflections. Prevalent issues include privacy, intimacy, claustrophobia, loneliness, neighbourly relations, animals, social prejudice and stereotyping of various sorts.