Eat Duck
After Grandma’s passing, her extended family holds a seven-day wake at the void deck. Clashing siblings, long-suffering in-laws, and estranged sons come together to hurt and to heal when their world is upended. Each must learn to say goodbye while struggling to hold on to those left behind.
Playwright Zenda Tan delivers a beautiful and incisive portrayal of family dynamics fraught with grief and past grievances. As they navigate unfamiliar rites and funeral rituals, they discover that food, offerings, and joss paper have become the currency of their love.
Directed with flair and nuance by Claire Wong, this astute and unflinching portrait of a family in mourning hits close to home with its questions on how we honour our dead and pay our final respects. Eat Duck lays bare everyday realities while offering extraordinary insights into the nature of love and loss, helping us all to answer what it truly means to be kin.
In collaboration with School of the Arts Singapore
Creative Team
- Playwright
Zenda Tan
- Director & Co-Producer
Claire Wong
- Cast
Karen Tan
Han Qian Chou
Jean Ng
Julius Foo
Pavan J Singh
Wiggie
Myle Yan Tay
Victoria Chen
Chaney Chia
Adam Michael Scott Wee An
Shann Sim- Set Designer
Aaron Yap
- Lighting Designer
Liu Yong Huay
- Sound Designer
Shah Tahir
- Production Stage Manager
Izz Sumono
- Co-Producer
Huzir Sulaiman
Reviews
- Press
The entire ensemble is strong... I applaud Checkpoint Theatre for its continued support of young actors, and this play is perfect for showing off their growing talent. [...] Checkpoint Theatre is demonstrating care and love for someone it truly believes in. The way someone in your family might, after a time of not seeing you, ask: have you eaten?
Arts Equator, SG
Playwright Zenda Tan's debut script is immensely relatable ... The deftness of Claire Wong's direction is most apparent.
The Straits Times, SG
Layered and complex ... [Jean Ng's] performance brought me to tears. The lovely combination of humour and truth really spoke to me ... EAT DUCK brought important discussions to the table about family, relationships and loss.
Popspoken, SG