Monday, January 11, 2010

page 4

Living Room Theatre


Politicians go door-to-door canvassing votes. In our early days, we literally went Living Room to Living Room to nurture an audience for children's theatre.

Living Room Theatre - ACT 3's concept of taking theatre out to the people wherever they are.



By the end of the 1970s, where English language theatre was concerned, groups like Experimental Theatre Company, Stage Club and Scene Shifters were regularly staging a handful of productions a year. They were established groups with a strong following.

There was no such fare for young audiences, though. Furthermore if we wanted to take theatre in Singapore to the next level, then we had to dramatically increase the theatre-going population.

An adult decides if he or she wants to buy the performance ticket. On the other hand, to win over the child you have to win over the parents, too. They are the ones making the decision to go or not to go to a show.

So we and our brand of theatre set up shop to unravel exciting, colourful stories right amongst families wherever they were - birthday parties at home, book stores, shopping centres, libraries, schools, housing estates, community centres, parks.. along beach strips....



We have even ridden on a truck - the equivalent of the army 3-tonner - to HDB car parks. Parked, unhinged the sides and used the back of the truck as the stage to bring alive, literally, street theatre. (Thanks Singapore Baggage & Transport Company.)

This trained us, early on, to shape our productions to fit any venue. For instance, in a book shop the audience is literally an arm's length away - you can spot the children with runny nose and even guess what they had for lunch from the remnants stuck between their teeth, (that's how close they were) - whereas in the shopping centre we had to contend with not only the vastness of the space, but the multitude of distractions and activities taking place up, down and all over.
And when we were out in the park or along the beach, we were one with the elements, be it strong winds, drizzle, enveloping humidity.
As a result we were challenged to innovate and tailor-make our props and sets. In Jack & the Beanstalk, the beanstalk was a two-way wooden ladder intertwined with vines. On one side was Jack's backyard. You climb the ladder and descend on the other side and - Fee Fi Fo Fum - you are in giant's land.
To an extend, the audience was encouraged to tap into their sense of imagination. Which meant that the acting, characterisation, costumes and make-up had to be spot on.
Materials needed to be light, easily portable and durable. The performers, highly adaptable.

Even today, we enthusiastically embrace the Living Room Theatre concept. Give us any space and we will whip up high drama any time.

The Journey continues with Treasure Island in Bras Basah Park.

2010. R CHANDRAN. All Rights Strictly Reserved.

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