With/Out by Loo Zihan

In May 1999, The Necessary Stage worked with Paddy Chew to stage a monologue titled Completely With/Out Character at the Drama Centre on Fort Canning Hill. The docu-theatre piece records his experience as the first person in Singapore to come out publicly with his HIV-positive status. Unfortunately, Paddy passed on in August 1999, a few months after the production’s conclusion.

Today, AIDS is no longer perceived as a terminal disease; HIV-positive individuals can lead a relatively normal and  healthy life with the aid of advances in medication. In part, this is due to the roads paved by individuals and researchers who came before us, individuals like Paddy, who defied convention and conservatism to tell his story at a time when there was still much ignorance and prejudice surrounding AIDS.

With/Out is a faithful interpretation of Paddy’s monologue. Through the use of multimedia, video documentation and other archival material, Loo Zihan will re-construct the production as an extension of his research into performance re-enactments, the mediation of a ‘live’ presence via the use of technology, and the re-visioning of queer histories in Singapore.

(Source: M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2015 Website)

With/Out was developed under Centre 42's Basement Workshop (now known as the Creation Residency). Read about Basement Workshop here.

Reviews

• Paddy’s Struggle Lives On by Citizen Reviewer Isaac Tan.
• With/Out pays a moving tribute to the late Paddy Chew by Corrie Tan, The Straits Times.
• Late Vigil by Adeline Chia, The Flying Inkpot.

Production Information

• WITH/OUT's Facebook Page 
• Tickets to the premiere
• Other performances at M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2015