Afraid to lose out
Singaporean contemporary dance piece examines the island nation’s peculiar social traits.
Across the causeway is a world where tissue paper is more powerful than it ever can be in Malaysia. A tissue pack tossed onto a food court table that is otherwise unoccupied is supposed to serve as a message that the spot is taken. Never mind that there is no one seated there.
singaporean have their own unwritten code of conduct that might make Malaysians scratch our heads at times, even as we amuse ourselves with the kiasu-ness that we associate with them.
Now, we can take this discussion into the realm of contemporary dance, and watch the drama unfold as seven dancers fight over a kopitiam chair at the Damansara Performing Arts centre (DPac) on June 10.
We, The Singaporeans! by The royal Dance-off (TrDo) presents a quirky and light-hearted exploration of the dynamics in singaporean culture. It is a comedic take on life and all the daily annoyances that make you grit your teeth, yet provide you with an endless cache of stories to tell your friends. “The inspiration for We, The Singaporeans!
(WTS!) came from the daily encounters with typical singaporean behaviour. ‘Kiasuism’ has somewhat become our trademark and it has not always been seen in a positive light. Through WTS!, I would like to shed light on a different perspective towards this behaviour,” says ryan Tan, TrDo founder/creative director, who choreographs the WTS! show.
He will also be making an appearance in the show.
“The chair we use is a recognisable icon in singapore and it has been around for so long, it could almost pass off as a cultural symbol. It is often seen alongside episodes of kiasuism and parallels how the kiasu culture has been woven into our everyday lives,” he explains.
WTS! premiered at the Esplanade Theatre rehearsal studio in January, with this show at DPac its second staging.
Tan is happy with the response from the show, stating that the audience enjoyed the dancing as much as they loved the concept.
“They appreciated how a potentially serious social theme like this could be communicated in so many styles and expressions. It was a relatable and telling piece in a casual setting,” he shares.
In WTS!, the dancers represent different generic characters where snippets of real life and familiar scenarios play out on stage. It is theatrical at times, absurd at other times – but above all, it is a celebration of thinking outside the box.
“I wanted audiences to be able to relate what they see in WTs! to things they may have experienced in their own lives and learn to share a laugh about it. I also would like to explore whether this kiasu trait truly takes us anywhere, or if there is another way to do things. The traits and eccentricities in WTS! is often seen in varying degrees all around the world. Perhaps it is just a little more associated with singaporeans,” says Tan.
TrDo started out in 2011 as a youth contemporary dance competition, and over the years have included showcases, performances, workshops and mass conventions in their repertoire. According to Tan, it strives to push the contemporary dance scene by convincing audiences that contrary to popular belief, contemporary dance is not defined by how enigmatic it is as a genre.
“contemporary dance is not even a genre to us; it is a byproduct of current times combined with the individual’s background. We want to encourage everyone to see that it can be relevant and accessible. That does not change what it is nor the quality that comes with it,” he notes.
As for WTS!, rest assured that it does not end on a dreary note – or perhaps worse, the “no ending” kind of ending that leaves the mainstream crowd wanting for more, and not in a good way.
“I hope people leave the theatre excited about what they witness and know that contemporary dance need not always have a dark tinge to it. I also wish for people to see that things are multi-faceted and can be perceived, or solved, in various ways. The norm is not all there is to it, so let’s get creative with how we approach life,” he concludes.
We, The Singaporeans! is on at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre, Empire Damansara, Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya) on June 10 at 3pm and 8pm. Tickets: RM58. Visit www. dpac.com.my for ticket purchase or call 03-4065 0001 or 03-4065 0002.