Contemporary Theatre In Singapore Southeast Asia

The course will examine socio-political and aesthetic issues that stem from making contemporary Southeast Asian Theatre, with particular emphasis on Singapore and a brief exploration of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. It will consider questions of identity, history, social and cultural change and the emergent trends that appear to characterise theatre in the region. Using plays from the region, the course will explore the emerging themes, issues and images and consider the fusion of theatre forms in contemporary Southeast Asian theatre that indicate a wide range of global and regional influence. This will include engaging with theatre in relation to Southeast Asia as a region, the influence of traditional theatre on contemporary work and vice-versa, and the importance of socio-political contexts in relation to theatre performance. The course will also briefly consider the contemporary Southeast Asian theatre today as it experiences cross-cultural through-flows, globalisation and regional interchange.