Intercultural Theatre Institute presents the Asian premiere of "Lie With Me" this November

The Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI), an independent theatre school for contemporary artists, will be presenting the Asian premiere of ‘Lie With Me’ by award-winning playwright Kaite O’Reilly, from 7–9 November at Esplanade Theatre Studio.
What’s more, this year’s graduating cohort will be directed by internationally renowned director Phillip Zarrilli.
Both O’Reilly and Zarrilli are acclaimed collaborators, whose play ‘richard III redux’ was one of three finalist scripts for the prestigious James Tait Black Prize in Drama, which celebrates groundbreaking theatre produced worldwide.
‘Lie With Me’ looks at contemporary life in Singapore through glimpses into the lives of eight young people, exploring issues such as the evolving ‘rules’ of sexual encounters in a ‘swipe right’ culture, and the ways in which people survive and form genuine relationships in an increasingly unstable and consumerist society.

“I wanted to look at the challenges and complexities, along with the joys and delights, of being a young person in a big urban environment in the 21st century. I wanted to explore how difficult it is to negotiate this post-truth society where we have alternative facts instead of empirical facts,” commented Ms O’Reilly on creating this play.
“I also think it’s important to make something that is really about now. Shakespeare said that theatre’s purpose is ‘to hold, as t’were, a mirror up to nature’. Well, that’s what we’re trying to do now – reflecting back contemporary Singaporean life for younger audiences,” she added.
“I think the issues the play raises are very relevant. Are you connecting with people in relationships or are you trying to disconnect? How do you make those choices, and who do you make them with? I think the eight characters reflect a cross-section of young people’s experiences here in Singapore,” said Mr Zarrilli, when speaking of the play’s timely nature.
Additionally, the ITI’s graduating cohort will be performing three publicly presented plays as part of their curriculum. ‘Lie With Me’ would be their final graduation show for 2019, and is presented in collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
This year’s graduating cohort includes students from Singapore, China, France, and the Philippines.

Show & Ticketing Details
Lie With Me
Presented by: Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI) in collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Written by: Kaite O’Reilly
Directed by: Phillip Zarrilli
Performed by: ITI’s 2019 graduating cohort
Cast: Earnest Hope Tinambacan, Jin Chen, Regina Toon, Ted Nudgent Fernandez Tac-an, Theresa Wee-Yenko, Tysha Khan, Wendy Toh, Nour el Houda Essafi (a.k.a. Yiseong)
Tickets:
– S$25 excluding ticketing fee (Standard)
– S$20 excluding ticketing fee (Concession rate for students / NSFs / senior citizens / Esplanade&Me cardholders)
Tickets available at Peatix.