The Galloping Years 2009 - 2003

 

2009 September

Project Mending Sky: YOU

This is the second installment of our community performance project on the Environment in the heartlands. In 2009, expanding on what we have built on in 2008, the project will shift from "Me" to "You"; eg. what you can do.

2009 July

Blanc Space: New Play Season

Blanc Space: The Playwright Series is an 18-month long new script incubating programme where aspiring writers work with established local playwright-mentors. The New Play Season is the fruit of our Playwright programme, showcasing 3 of the completed new plays. It boasts a comprehensive programme comprising theatre performances, two Playread sessions for new scripts-in-progress developed under Playwright Series II and a series of Workshops and Forum Discussions.

2009 May

Drift @ Macao Arts Festival

This international collaborative work involving talents from Singapore, China and Hong Kong will be toured to Macao Arts Festival Next.

 

2009 March

IgnorLAND of its Desires

IgnorLAND is a community project that brings audiences to places and spaces with stories to tell. The second installment, IgnorLAND of its Desires will look at the place where carnal and the spiritual meet: Geylang.

 

 

2009 February

News Busters!

The cast of News Busters or Dua Dai Ji in their 2009 performance will revisit the history of Singapore from 1960s onwards, looking at the decisions made after our independence and how they have affected us after 43 years.  

 

 

 

 

 

2008 November

David the Best

Directed by Kok Heng Leun, this is a collaboration with celebrity DJ, Huang Wenhong of Radio 100.3 to present his stage debut. The title “David the BEST!" <<大卫必佳!>> is a reference to the David vs Goliath story, and also a pun on the Chinese proverb. The play is a multi-media, multi-disciplinary, hilarious and satirical take on what is it like being SMALL in a big world. It will be a highly accessible one-of-a-kind theatre-talk show production that will explore the psyche of being SMALL.

 

 

2008 August

Project Mending Sky: ME

Project Mending Sky is a 3-year project undertaken by Drama Box to promote environmental awareness in the community. Through a short play, an demonstration of using recycled cooking oil to make soap by Raffles Girls’ School (Sec) and several green activities, Project Mending Sky: ME aims to develop an appreciation of how ‘life’ evolves with one’s action, just like how ‘lives’ are destroyed with one’s action too.

The play is written by Kok Heng Leun, co-directed by Kok Heng Leun and Koh Wan Ching and co-created by 6 senior citizens from YAH! Community College and Koh Wan Ching.

 

 

Playread Session by Blanc Space

The Playread session was held as part of the OCBC Theatre Festival, which also served as a showcase for the new scripts in progress.

The playwrights that were featured are Ng Kian Seng, Lam Guang Feng, Cheow Boon Seng, Entia Seah, Koh Peifen, Ong Pei Chey.

 

 

2008 July

What Matters by ARTivate

What Matters was produced under Esplanade’s F.Y.I programme and NAC’s Arts Excursion initiative. It featured a forum theatre play co-directed by Artistic Director of NeNeMas Koh Hui Ling and Rei Poh and also a series of 3 fringe activities. The cast of the play includes Kalaiselvi d/o Piramayan, Renee Chua, Siti Khalijah Bte Zaina and Rei Poh.

What Matters aims to provide a whole new perspective on racial harmony locally and globally.

 

 

2008 June

Drift

Drift - a co-commission by Singapore Season in China 2007 and Singapore Arts Festival 2008. In June, the play was brought from Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre to Singapore, Drama Centre Theatre.

It is a story that spans across three generations and two cities. The play examines the implications behind the speed of modernisation and deliberates on diverse cultural and historical tapestries.

Co-written by Drama Box’s Artistic Director Kok Heng Leun and SDAC’s playwright Nick Yu. Directed by Kok Heng Leun and co-directed by NeNeMas’ Associate Artistic Director Koh Hui Ling, the production also feature a stellar cast including Lim Kay Siu, Jo Kwek and Pat Toh from Singapore; Zhou Ye Mang and Qin Xuan from China.

 

 

2008 March

House of Sins

House of Sins unveils the sins that had been lurking deep within people through a perfect family that is chosen on a sacred night to participate in a holy project. To save the sinners from hell, they are prepared to sacrifice themselves.

Written and directed by Li Xie.

 

 

2008 January

Project Mending Sky - The Green Man by ARTivate

“The Green Man” was a Green Carnival created by youths for others. Conceptualised and organised by ARTivate, the event consists mainly of ARTivate’s thought-provoking plays on environmental conservation, “The Flames” musical performance by girls from Andrew & Grace Home and a mini bazaar that promotes environmental conservation.

Plays performed during “The Green Man” are written by Lam Dan Fong (17) and Ho Kian Tong (24), under the dramaturgy of Kok Heng Leun. They are both directed by Koh Hui Ling. Casts include Goh Seok Ai, Rei Poh and ARTivators Han Xuemei and Liew Jia Yi.

 

 

 

2007 December

Forum Theatre – Trick or Threat! at The Substation

A re-run of the forum theatre play Trick or Threat! in July 2007. This is also the first time Drama Box presents a forum theatre play in the theatres.

 

 

 

2007 November

Drift

A co-commissioned production by the Singapore Season in China 2007 and Singapore Arts Festival 2008 and co-produced by Drama Box and the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre.

Co-written by:
Kok Heng Leun (Drama Box’s Artistic Director) and
Nick Yu (SDAC’s playwright)

Directed by:
Kok Heng Leun

Co-directed by:
Koh Hui Ling (NeNeMas’ Associate Artistic Director)

Casts:
Lim Kay Siu, Jo Kwek and Pat Toh from Singapore;
Zhou Ye Mang and Qin Xuan from China

 

 

 

 

2007 September

Community Tour: ignorLand of its name

The first time Drama Box took audiences on a literal tour around Singapore in buses. Lost memories of Dragon Teeth Gate and Old Nanyang University Arch were uncovered in this journey through time.

 

 

 

2007 July

Forum Theatre: Trick or Threat!

Part two of Drama Box’s TOUR’07 in July. A forum theatre that discussed racial and terrorism issues in Singapore.

Co-directed & Written by:
Kok Heng Leun and Aidli ‘Alin’ Mosbit

Casts:
Muhammad Najib Bin Soiman, Mohammad Zulfadli Mohd Rashid,
Molizah Bte Mohd Mohter, Rei Poh and Doreen Toh

Facilitated by:
Kok Heng Leun

   

 

 

Dua Dai Ji (News Busters!)

Part one of Drama Box’s popular community performance tours in 2007. Dua Dai Ji (News Busters!) is a satire that relieved headline news.

Created by:
Li Xie

Co-devised with:
Tay Kong Hui, Koh Huiling and Goh Seok Ai

 

 

 

2007 May

MoMo

Drama Box’s first full-length production specially created for the Youths. Produced by NeNeMas, Drama Box’s education arm, MoMo provoked thoughts of how time can be protected.

 

 

 

2006 September

Thrash

A prequel to ShitHole, Thrash is a thought-provoking and humourous look at what revolution means - ideology, power, greed and bloodshed.

Written & Directed by: Li Xie

Casts: Johnny Ng, Gordon Tay, Peter Sau, Doreen Toh, Goh Seok Ai, Rei Poh and Koh Wan Ching

   

 

 

2006 June

A Stranger at Home

Based on an original play by National Youth Award winner and academic Dr Quah Sy Ren. It is similarly inspired by Dr Quah’s book with playwright and Teacher of the Year 2005 Ng How Wee.

The play took a visceral look at the impact of the changing urban landscape on human emotions, needs, memories and existence. Combining theatre, music and film, this play questioned the concept of nostalgia, home, memories and identity. The film was produced by acclaimed director Royston Tan.

Adapted & Directed by:
Kok Heng Leun (Young Artist Award recipient 2000)

     

 

 

2006 April

Forum Theatre: Problem Gambling

Part of the community performance TOUR’06 series, this piece had the public joining in the dialogue by going onstage to enact their suggestions/ solutions to problems surfaced in the play. This particular piece focused on issues with regards to problem gambling.

Written & Directed by: Li Xie

Casts: Lee Hock Leong, Koh Wan Ching and Goh Seok Muay

 

 

 

2005 November

 

Dua Dai Ji / Tomorrow Community Tour ’05

A double bill performance as part of the Community performance series:

• Dua Dai Ji (News Buster!) is a satirical play based on headline news
• Tomorrow, created & directed by Kok Heng Leun, is a forum theatre based on stories shared in four workshops with 60 senior citizen participants

 

 

 

2005 August

furnitur

An evocative piece about travelling and memories, journeys and sojourns, we invite you to embark on this trip with us and may you find a little something to remember us by …

Directed by: Sim Pern Yiau

Casts: Melissa Leung Hiu Tuen (Hong Kong) and Zelda Ng

 

 

2005 May

Happy

Adapted from Oscar Wilde’s love letters, THE HAPPY PRINCE and SALOME, Happy explores the manipulations and emotional turmoil in the search for love and happiness.

The musical theatre opens with the trial of Oscar Wilde, where he was convicted for sodomy. Alone in his cell, feeling hurt and betrayed by the society that once loved him, Wilde questioned the notion of love in this conservative society.

Originally set in Ancient Rome, SALOME is a verse drama about lust, desire and anger. Now adapted to the present and set to the ruthless corporate world in the midst of a war, religious fervour and gender revolutions. SALOME is the step-daughter of a high profile corporate director, Herod, who profits from the war. A religious activist, Jokanan, condemns Herod. SALOME meets Jokanan and falls for him but Jokanan rejects her love. Angered and hurt, SALOME plots for his death…

THE HAPPY PRINCE is Oscar Wilde’s most well loved fable about the Happy Prince who gives everything he has and a wonderful and loyal swallow that sacrifices its life to accompany The Prince in his journey of selfless giving.

Conceptualised & Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

Original Music & Lyrics Written by: Huang Yun Ren (Eric Ng) and Xiao Han

Casts: Li Xie, Danny Yeo, Johnny Ng (Huang Jia Qiang) and Koh Hui Ling

 

 

2004 August

 

Shithole

Based on a true story from a village in Indonesia, Shithole examines the consequences of our disregard for lost history and tradition. The satire grapples with issues of survival, delving into the core of human nature.

A colorful mask work comedy.

Written & Directed by: Li Xie

Mask Designer/ Maker: Li Xie

 

 

2004 March

Constant Constipation

A black comedy. An urban fable. A friendship begins with two persons without knowing who each other really is - gender, age, appearance… A wedding photographer was given a mission by the two persons. One is to capture the past memories for one person and the other the future relationship for the other person.

Written & Directed by: Lee Shyh Jih

 

 

2004 January

Liao Zhai (Hua Yi Festival by Esplanade - Chinese Festival of Arts)

Adapted from the famous Chinese collection of stories about ghosts and spirits. The play is set in today’s global context and explores the prejudices faced by women, Muslims and foreign talents by comparing them with the spirits. Like the spirits, these groups have been shunned and looked down upon by the dominant group.

Written by: Pu Song Ling

Adapted & Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

 

2003 August

The vaginaLOGUE

A re-run of the sold out season in year 2000. New elements and the use of mask work was added.

Created by: Li Xie

Dramaturgy: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2003 May

Forum Performance: Prison

Based on real-life stories created by inmates of Selarang Park Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

Written, Directed & Facilitated by: Li Xie

 

 

SARS

An interactive performance at community venues exploring how the community perceives SARS and relationships in the community after the outbreak of the disease.

Written By: Li Xie

Directed & Facilitated by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2003 March

Cloud Nine

Explores the lustful, perhaps bizarre, relationships amongst the members of a Chinese businessman’s family in colonial and modern Singapore.

Written by: Caryl Churchill

Translated by: Quah Sy Ren and Kok Heng Leun

Adapted & Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2003 January

Searching for Spring II

Comprising mask work, a short play and forum performance; this piece is a miniature performance in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

 

 

 

The Formative Years 2002 - 1998

 

2002 December

 

Private Room

Reflects problems that every family faces, like adolescent and elderly problems. As part of the Living Theatre Project 2002 and based on true stories.

Written & Directed by: Li Xie

Facilitated by: Li Xie and Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2002 November

Fugitives

An intimate study of the contemporary Singaporean nuclear family. Examines communication breakdowns, unspoken longings and love-hate relationships.

Written by: Alfian Bin Sa’at and Ng How Wee

Directed by: Kok Heng Leun and Lee Shyh Jih

 

 

2002 October

Spider & Tiger

A funny yet disturbing revelation of hot topics such as retrenchment and inflation etc, at the time of the play.

Written & Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2002 July

boner

A delicious chamber performance about violence, memory, regret, love, suspense, murder and a tinge of tenderness.

Written by: Quah Sy Ren

Directed by: Jeff Chen

 

 

2002 June

White Songs

Final presentation of The Blanc Space in Singapore Arts Festival 2002.

Written by: Li Xie

Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2002 April

Have You Beaten?

A part of the Living Theatre Project, Have You Beaten? explores the issue of family violence and various relationships in a family. An interactive performance brought to community venues.

Written by: Li Xie

Directed & Facilitated by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2002 January

Beautiful Day

Two good friends, after going through an earthquake in Singapore and searching for Yamaguchi Momoe in Japan respectively, make some discoveries about themselves and their surroundings.

Written by: Lee Shyh Jih

Directed by: Lim Wee Bin

 

 

 

2001 November

 

Have You Eaten?

Drama Box’s first interactive community production about the issue of retrenchment and its aftermath.

Written by: Kok Heng Leun

Directed by: Kok Heng Leun and Lee Shyh Jih

Facilitated by: Kok Heng Leun and Li Xie

 

 

2001 July

White Songs (The first presentation of The Blanc Space)

The first work-in-progress presentation by the participants of "The Blanc Space", marking the culmination of nine months of theatrical training.

Written by: Li Xie

Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2001 May

Lian Can Cook

Drama Box’s first community production about domestic violence and a woman’s relationship with her husband and son.

Created by: Li Xie

Dramaturgy: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2001 January

Family of Cross

An exploratory and quirky improvised production that consisted of five short plays.

Conceptualised & Directed by: Zelda Tatiana Ng and Sim Pern Yiau

 

 

 

2000 October

 

News Theatre

A tongue-in-cheek satire and parody of the happenings in a newsroom.

Conceptualised by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2000 September

Invisibility

A modern-day fable about the quest for the art of invisibility in urban society.

Written by: Quah Sy Ren

Adapted & Directed by: Sim Pern Yiau

 

 

2000 August

Steel

A one-man monologue about a person fighting against an opposing will in the form of technology, machines, the city and the state.

Written & Directed by: Amaxophobia

 

 

2000 July

Top of the World and Skin

A double bill where one play is about the death of a pet dog that changed its owner’s life and the other is about the need for human touch.

Top of the World
Story by: Zelda Tatiana Ng

Written & Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

Skin
Written by: Nerve

Directed by: Vein

 

 

2000 May

The Rape

A portrayal of the lifestyle of youth and pub culture through events that happened to a group of teenagers on a night out at a pub.

Written by: Purpink Chung

Directed by: Lee Shyh Jih and Lim Wee Bin

 

 

2000 April

THE vaginaLOGUE

A one-woman monodrama based on research, interviews, storytelling and performance; about how women view the vagina as well as how society perceives it.

Created by: Li Xie

Dramaturgy: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

2000 January

Mr Beng  (A Trilingual Musical)

A re-run of its sold-out premiere in the Singapore Arts Festival 1999.

Book by: Otto Fong

Adapted & Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

 

1999 December

 

Banana Blues

A contemporary play about four characters’ search for something elusive in their lives.

Written by: Lee Shyh Jih

Directed by: Sim Pern Yiau

 

 

1999 September

 

Timeless Kitchen

A double bill of Borrowed Time, adapted from Paul Monette’s novel and Kitchen, adapted from Banana Yoshimoto’s novel.

Borrowed Time
Book by: Paul Monette

Adapted by: Chua Shen Zi and Lawrence Ong

Directed by: Jackie Liu

Kitchen
Book by: Banana Yoshimoto

Adapted by: Rachel Lim

Directed by: Tan Chong Boon

 

 

1999 June

 

Mr Beng (A Musical Comedy, Singapore Arts Festival)

A musical about a Mr Beng who learns independence and self-acceptance.

Book by: Otto Fong

Adapted & Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

1999 May

 

Sour Relationship

The first Mandarin play in Singapore to deal with the issue of women and women’s bodies in a direct way.

Written by: Li Xie

Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

1999 February

 

Searching for Spring

A small Lunar New Year presentation at Drama Box’s studio theatre.

Written by: Li Xie

Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

1999 January

 

I Remember 99

A ‘play-within-a-play’, about love, waiting and memories.

Written by: Lee Shyh Jih

Directed by: Kok Heng Leun

 

 

1998 November

 

Leng-Geh-Mng

Singapore’s first full-length pugilistic production that parodied the stereotypical pugilistic movies.

Written by: Lee Shyh Jih and Li Xie

Directed by: Kok Heng Leun