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Original Singapore Stories with Honesty and Humour, Head and Heart

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Occupation (2012)

Written by award-winning and acclaimed playwright Huzir Sulaiman, Occupation weaves the true story of Huzir’s grandmother, Mrs Mohamed Siraj, with the experiences of the fictional character Sarah.

Mrs Siraj was a young woman in her teens during the war years and spent most of the occupation sequestered in her large family home. Later, in her eighties, Mrs Siraj is interviewed by Sarah, a bureaucrat tasked with collating Singapore’s oral history. In looking at the past, Sarah struggles with questions of her own life in modern day Singapore.

Directed by Claire Wong and starring Jo Kukathas, Checkpoint Theatre’s new 10th anniversary production of Occupation is an intimate journey through the labyrinth of memories of love and loss, and a celebration of that which has passed and that which remains forever. Vivid, humourous and beautiful.

First produced by Checkpoint Theatre in 2002 as a Singapore Arts Festival commission. Presented in 2012 by National Museum of Singapore in collaboration with Checkpoint Theatre.


Creative Team

Playwright

Huzir Sulaiman

Director

Claire Wong

Performer

Jo Kukathas

Set Designer

Andy Lim
Claire Wong

Lighting Designer

Andy Lim

Sound Design

Shah Tahir

Costume Designer

Priscilla Shunmugam

Hair and Makeup Designer

Joanna Koh

Production Stage Manager

Petrina Tan


Reviews

  • Press

There are flashes of deep, profound humanity in the moving love story... [Huzir] Sulaiman is one of the best wordsmiths in local theatre ... Kukathas is phenomenal...

The Straits Times, SG

Kudos to Wong for drawing out the potential of the text, even down to the smallest details...Kukathas does a magnificent job in rendering Mrs Siraj... this is a performance that is not only stunning but truly generous.

The Flying Inkpot, SG

Deftly directed by Claire Wong... truly a tour de force performance from Jo Kukathas.... Checkpoint Theatre has proven that this is essentially what great theatre should be about - it's about excellent writing, skillful directing and a proficient actor to bring it all out to the audience [Occupation] managed to touch the heart of the audience magnificently.

Blogcritics, 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

Primary Sidebar

Date
27 – 30 Sep 2012
Venue
National Museum of Singapore, Singapore
Info

In conjunction with the re-opening of Singapore History Gallery at the National Museum of Singapore

Also See

  • Occupation (2002)
    Occupation (2002)
  • City Night Songs
  • Statement Piece
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