The Director thinks....

Peter Brook in "The Golden Fish" tells us that "Political oppression has always paid theatre its greatest compliment. In countries under the rule of fear, the theatre is the form which dictators watch closely and dread the most. For this reason, the greater our freedom, the more we ourselves must understand and discipline every act of theatre : to have meaning it must obey very precise rules."

There is freedom enough these days in Singapore theatre, but have we learned to wield it well ? Ah.

The same applies to a play or a scene - the Mad Forest offers us so much room and so many options - but there is a clear path that we must discern, a path marked by strong and trustworthy markers. It is along this path that the audience can best follow us, and on that path that we can choose to run,walk,stand still,set up camp, or simply stray from briefly knowing its there to return to...

In the first few rehearsals, it has been intriguing to see how easily the old traps and tricks can emerge and carve misleading paths through each scene. Prior assumptions, sentimental viewings, anticipated endings - all these things throw us off so easily. Not to menton acting habits.

Its Young & W!LD's second show - the greatest challenge will be to make this rehearsal process a new adventure, a deeper exploration of actor potential - and NOT a repeat of the last processes, just chipping away at the same old habits that were addressed the last time. Let's not repeat old lessons, but move on to deeper ones... This is what they mean when they speak of actors growing (or not growing) from show to show - the ability to approach each new rehearsal process readier, freer, more open abd quicker to adapt than before. Its not easy - habits are deeply ingrained - but it takes the actor's mighty act of both will and surrender - will to not be 'safe' and easy, surrender to the totally new experience this new play offers...

onwards and upwards...