The anatomy of tragedy, seen from multiple angles.

So much of the time, Singaporeans are so focused on looking out for themselves, that they become blindsided to the darker, more problematic aspects of society, so much that they aren’t even aware when others are suffering in silence. That’s something that starts as young as one’s school days, and the earlier one becomes aware of it, the more easily they can curb it and learn to care for others around them.

That is in part, one of the aims of Drama Box’s Re: Assembly, presented as part of the Esplanade’s student-centric F.Y.I. (Feed Your Imagination) programme. Updating their 2022 version of the show, co-directors Han Xuemei and Timothy Wan have almost completely reworked the show for 2023, crafting a tighter, more focused storyline and experience, while still retaining its immersive elements.

Set in the fictional Greenleaf Secondary School, Re:Assembly revolves around a terrible incident that befalls Lina (Natalie Titus), a new, local transfer student from another school. Joining the school’s photography club, she encounters fellow members Joe (Izzul Irfan) and Natasha (Auderia Tan), as well as teacher-in-charge Mr Ong (Alvin Chiam). All seem well-meaning as they try to help her adjust to her new environment, but behind-the-scenes, something terrible lurks the school grounds, as it threatens to destroy her psyche and end her once and for all.

Right from the moment they step into the Esplanade Annexe Studio, audience members are given free rein to explore the school-inspired set. Designed by TK Hay, there are distinct performance areas around the space meant to resemble various rooms, each containing plenty of tiny details for audience members to discover. While these do not directly affect the story, they do help contribute to the overall creepy atmosphere, from red handprints on the cupboards, to cork boards that appear scratched, to photo negatives with unidentifiable faces strung up.

Throughout the show, audience members watch the central narrative unfold, as we trace Lina’s experiences and encounters at Greenleaf. While initially innocent and even hopeful, there is almost always the hint of something supernatural at play, as Lina looks around in fear at an invisible force, or distorted voices disrupt the space. It’s not long before all of these morph into something far more sinister, as a confessions page turns nasty, and Lina’s mental health begins to suffer while past traumas return to haunt her.

Co-writers Xuemei, Timothy and Adib Kosnan have done a great job at ensuring every scene builds increasing tension, with characters in clear distress and well-paced rising action that eventually reaches breaking point. Gen Z lingo is naturally inserted without sounding forced, while the student audience were clearly spooked by some of the creepier moments, effectively using visual media and lighting to the extent that they began to be on high alert for possible jump scares.

But if anything, it is the fact that the writers show great restraint at keeping the storyline simple and straightforward, that allows students to easily identify with the characters, and understand the plight they’re facing. Throughout the show, students are also given the opportunity to walk around even while the actors are performing, literally allowing them to see the scene from different angles, or on occasion, choose to enter smaller rooms to learn more about individual characters’ backstories.

The immersion is simple but effective, where audience members feel involved and invested in all that is happening before them. When the main performance ends, students are also given an opportunity to engage in small group discussions led by the actors, as they conversed about the themes and issues they observed, or even practiced empathy, as they were asked what they would do if put in various characters’ positions.

While there is never really any control that audience members have that can affect the outcome, it is clear when they reassemble for a final debrief that the issues of bullying raised struck a chord with some of them. This is to the extent that they were willing to share their own misgivings about a flawed system instead of simply producing ‘model’, expected answers to please their teacher-facilitators accompanying them.

Horror as a medium is rarely seen in theatre, and in the case of Re:Assembly, acts as a means to cope with and perceive the inexplicable pain of tragedy. By its end, one hopes that beyond food for thought, students genuinely walk away from such a performance more ready to question their own behaviours, or speak up when they witness these things happening around them, and able to recognise the signs of distress before it’s too late.

Photo Credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Re: Assembly played from 12th to 21st July 2023 (for schools) and 15th July 2023 for the public, at the Esplanade Annexe Studio. More information available here

Help fund Drama Box’s Camp-O, a theatre camp for youths aged 15 to 20 years old, that runs, from 27th November to 1st December 2023. Registration available here

Production Credits:

Producer: Lim Ailing (Drama Box)

Co-Directors: Han Xuemei (Drama Box), Timothy Wan

Playwrights: Adib Kosnan, Han Xuemei, Timothy Wan

Cast: Alvin Chiam, Auderia Tan, Izzul Irfan, Natalie Titus

Voice Actors: Rei Poh, Nicole Toh Jin Xian, Heather (Chung Yoon Seo), Jordan Set, Tan Li Ching, Kaiko Natan

Lighting Designer: Genevieve Peck

Sound Designer: Lee Yew Jin (Ctrl Fre@k) Sound Operator: Katriel Tai

Set Designer: TK Hay Set Coordinator: Huang Xiangbin Set Dressing: Azy A

Visual Media Content: Han Xuemei, Timothy Wan, Auderia Tan, Natalie Titus, Ng Bi Yu Visual Media Design: Han Xuemei

Production Manager: Tennie Su Stage Manager: Ng Siaw Hui Rehearsal Stage Manager: Celestine Wong Assistant Stage Manager: Ng Bi Yu

Post-Show Students’ and Educators’ Guide: Lim Ci Xuan, Han Xuemei