Avant Theatre Press Release
Avant Theatre strives to provide each artiste with opportunities to continually develop their artistic skills in an open, holistic, challenging and supportive multi-disciplinary learning environment. Through this, Avant Theatre & Language will prepare them to play an active and responsible role as global artistic citizens in a multicultural world and the artistic industry. In doing so, we share and support the Art and Cultural Ministries in their vision in creating Singapore a Global Arts Hub in Asia.

Avant is opening our main season this year with Fourplay, a quadruple bill of short plays where we introduce new directors, actors and playwrights to the local theatre community.
Fourplay will be a production of 4 short plays in English brought to you by our emerging artistes. It serves as our platform to introduce new and up-coming playwrights, directors and actors into the local theatre scene and create the next generation of performance makers.
By exploring the individual’s psychological landscape in relation to societal mores, Fourplay will showcase the neurotic sensibilities and eclectic perspectives of four different groups of people. Through the different plays developed in avant-garde fashion, these characters will journey through joy, pain, anxiety and reflection to face the reality of their situations.
What is the meaning of life and living?
That is the soul search that Fourplay will embark on.

  • BANYAN TREE ON A FULL MOON NIGHT
Banyan Tree on a Full Moon Night is an exploration of unconventional themes of perversity and suppressed Freudian foundations that are innate in all human beings. A middle-aged man struggles with his passionate feelings for a younger woman he meets at the train station. As he recounts the events of that fateful night in shocking detail, the line between morality and repression blurs in his vision as a battle between self-control and insanity ensues.

  • ONCE MORE 

Love begins with a smile, grows with words, and ends with a teardrop – more often than not. In the past, these words of love were exchanged face to face and through letters. With the introduction of SMSes and Whatsapp however, proposals and break-ups have become nothing but a formality. Once More is a story about 2 lovers (or should I say ex-lovers?) where the guy resends the girl all their past SMSes and they relive their relationship once more. Will things really work out? Or will it be just another vain attempt? A contemporary love story close to everyone’s heart told in a unique way… Once More.

  • HANGMAN

Have you ever imagined a conversation between an executioner and a high-profile criminal who is going to be hanged; a conversation that raises questions on life in the face of death? Combining gallows humour, dark comedy and absurdist theatre, Hangman raises themes that are both uncomfortable and thought-provoking. Can every crime be forgiven? Is the executioner a criminal as well? Is his remorse and guilty understandable or unfounded? These form the backbone of a story that will redefine the way society looks at the death penalty, and the fate of those who execute and are executed.

  • FIVE STEPS

A mother is steps away from jumping off her house to commit suicide. As a patient suffering from depression, this seems the only way she can liberate herself from the pain she is suffering from. However, each step she takes to the edge distances her daughter from the memory she had of her mother in happier times. An emotionally charged drama that explores the nuances of a mother-daughter relationship, we look at the self- sacrificing nature of a child who takes on the role of a parent in order to save her own mother. Torn between free will and responsibilities, Five Steps will resonate with those who stand at the crossroads of life and question their priorities in the face of emotion.

 

Praise for Avant’s Recent Productions
Since its debut in Singapore, Avant Theatre has garnered the support of local theatre lovers who have been supportive of our innovative and daring productions and continue to share their passion for theatre with us. Here are some comments about our recent productions from our supporters on our Facebook platform.
Irruthiyil Yaar
Irruthiyil Yaar was an amazing ensemble put up by an excellent cast, talented director and most importantly an engaging script!
-Jayasree Sundar
12 AM
12 AM was an awesome show! The cast was fantastic. Despite the changes in roles in the midst of show, all the actors did an awesome job…. I was truly moved with their acting skills. Well done guys!!!
-Sakunthala Gal
“Irruthiyil Yaar”…. yet another entertaining play by Avant. Kudos to the team for their great effort, amazing talents (both front & back end) & dynamic performance. Well done all!!! You guys rocked!!
-Katijah Haji Midian
Irruthiyil Yaar….. A play worth watching.
-Sandhya Thomas Nathan
Fourlies
After watching Avant’s Fourlies, my expectations were quite high. It turned out to be different & yet the show exceeded my expectations! Kudos to the Avant team for yet another successful play!
-Sethuraman Srinivasan
Antham Aathi
Although these matters were serious and have bugged us citizens, Selva and the crew have delivered their message in a wonderful way including comedy and grabbed our attention throughout the play. It was definitely a memorable experience. 
-Haaran Pj
Antham Aathi was excellent and amazing! The performance of the 3 geniuses was fantastic and there was definitely good team work. All must watch and learn. Hats off to the actors, director, and the whole team!
-Jeganathan Karuppiah
I attended the show yesterday, I must say the casts did a brilliant job. Thumbs up!
-Dizzy Jeera

 
Past Productions:

September 2011 – Bhishma (The Grandsire)
A monologue in English and Tamil. The First Chapter of the Moksha Trilogy inspired by the Mahabharatha epic.
October 2011 – Bhishma tours to India and Sri Lanka
December 2011 – Romz and Julz
A Total Theatre Concept Presentation in Tamil based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet”.
August 2012 – Sakuni (Let the Game Begin)
A play in English and Tamil. The Second Chapter of the Moksha Trilogy inspired by the Mahabharatha epic.
September 2012 – Bhishma & Sakuni tours to India
December 2012 – 12 AM
An Audience Mediated play in Tamil based on Reginald Rose’s “12 Angry Men”.
March 2013 – Adagu
An Interactive Theatre Presentation in Tamil.
June 2013 – Fourlies A comedy in English.
August 2013 – Irruthiyil Yaar
A play in Tamil based on Agatha Christie’s novel, “And Then There Were None”.
October 2013 – Bhishma & Sakuni tours to Malaysia
November 2013 – Master Class in Acting & Speech and Drama for Children
December 2013 – Antham Aathi
A forum theatre production exploring current issues; derived from Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed

[divide]


Rating: Advisory 16 and above (involves mature content)
Dates/Times:

  • 10 April 2014 (Thursday) – 8pm
  • 11 April 2014 (Friday) – 8pm
  • 12 April 2014 (Saturday) – 3pm and 8pm

Venue: Goodman Arts Centre Black Box
Language: English
Ticket Pricing: $25
Ticketing hotline: 93803780 (Ms Darshini Sambanthan)
Enquiries: [email protected]

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