Chamber Readings: Occupation by Huzir Sulaiman
Armed with a tape recorder, Sarah, an ambitious young oral historian, begins the task of interviewing Mrs Siraj, who recounts her youth and romance under the Japanese Occupation. As she listens to these stories of the past, Sarah struggles with questions of her own life in modern day Singapore and what the future holds.
Twenty years after its standout premiere, Occupation continues to captivate audiences with its lyrical and moving account of tender love and bold passions. Acclaimed playwright Huzir Sulaiman chronicles the extraordinary legacy found in the true story of his grandmother, Mrs Mohamed Siraj, as it intertwines with the reflections of the fictional character Sarah.
Skillfully directed by Claire Wong and performed by Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai and Isabella Chiam, with live music by Joel Nah and sound design by Shah Tahir, Occupation is a vivid and intimate journey through memories of love and loss and its promise of new beginnings.
Creative Team
- Playwright
Huzir Sulaiman
- Director
Claire Wong
- Cast
Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai
Isabella Chiam- Musical Performer
Joel Nah
- Sound Designer
Shah Tahir
- Lighting Designer
Liu Yong Huay
- Production Manager
Izz Sumono
Reviews
- Press
Claire Wong... directs this reading with care and spare elegance. ... In this stripped-down setting... the focus is on Huzir [Sulaiman]'s script, which is that of a young playwright whose facility and talent are undeniable...
OCCUPATION ... planted a flag for scripted stories at a time when Singapore's theatre landscape was dominated by workshopped productions. ... Revisiting stories is another critical way of championing Singapore's growing theatre canon, and this staging proves the play has staked out a place in that body of work.
The Straits Times, SG
OCCUPATION is a gem in the history of the theatre.
Today, SG
There are flashes of deep, profound humanity in the moving love story... [Huzir] Sulaiman is one of the best wordsmiths in local theatre...
The Straits Times, SG
And just like that, as the lights finally dim, we know we have witnessed something that is quite, quite sublime. Rated 4.5 / 5
The Flying Inkpot, SG