WHY DO YOU VOTE?
WHAT ISSUES INFLUENCED YOUR VOTE?
WHAT DOES CITIZENSHIP MEAN TO YOU?
In the electrifying months leading up to the watershed 2011 General Elections, and in the tumultuous months after, playwright Alfian Sa’at interviewed Singaporeans to discover their responses to these searching questions. Boldly putting aside concerns about secrecy, the interviewees opened their hearts to share what they honestly felt and what they truly believe.
Covering a wide social and political spectrum, the candid interviews capture the GE experience through the voices of individual Singaporeans – from election candidates to pro-establishment civil servants; from taxi-drivers to teachers; from diehard opposition supporters to young people casting their virgin votes. From the transcripts of these real-life interviews emerged a script that chronicled the momentous event that not only rocked the boat, but created startling ripples that are still widening even now.
The private clashes behind the public debates… the personal convictions behind the party politics… even that unforgettable moment as they finally stood alone in the polling booth with pen in hand, poised to make their mark. These interviews – some hopeful, some fearful, some hilariously frank, some achingly honest – form a portrait of Singaporeans confronting the real meaning of democracy and rediscovering their role in shaping the country’s future.
An ensemble of our most versatile actors, playing characters aged 17 to 70, takes on these Singaporean voices – in a playful and poignant piece of testimony theatre that proves how political views are not just the hot air of coffeeshop talk.
Cast
Jo Kukathas
Najib Soiman
Neo Swee Lin
Rodney Oliveiro
Peter Sau
Tan Kheng Hua
Production Team
Director: Ivan Heng & Jo Kukathas
Playwright: Alfian Sa'at
Lighting Designer/Technical Manager: Teo Kuang Han
Photo/Multimedia Curator: Chris Yap
Hair Designer: Ashley Lim
Costume Co-ordinator: Theresa Chan
Production Manager: Koh Bee Bee
Production Co-ordinator: Phua Yun Yun
Stage Manager: Keira Lee
Assistant Stage Manager / Props Mistress: Mirabel Neo
Stage Assistant: Fang Lu
Assistant to Director / Stage Assistant: Barney Gopalakrishnen
Video Operator: Samantha Chua
Wardrobe Mistress: Nurhidayah Mahadi
(Source: Wild Rice Programme)