The 1990s Generation: Emerging Singapore Chinese Theatre during the Kuo Pao Kun Era

The new generation of local Chinese language theatre practitioners emerged in the 1990s. Bilingual in Chinese and English, these transculturally aware practitioners chose to turn professional, contributing pivotally to the diverse theatre scene that flourished over the past three decades. The rich heritage of a century of Singapore Chinese theatre provided them with formative resources to nurture their artistic practices. They also benefitted from the arts policies actively implemented by the state during the period. Most significantly, they were encouraged and inspired by the burgeoning cultural atmosphere Kuo Pao Kun created since the 1980s. Focusing on Drama Box, this talk explores how the Singapore theatre company represents a collective that belongs to this unique generation. In particular, the talk locates Drama Box’s position in the history of local theatrical development, as well as in the context of transnational and transcultural interaction, emphasising its role in shaping the landscape of Singapore theatre.

Speaker(s) biography:

Assoc Professor Quah Sy Ren
School of Humanities
Nanyang Technological University

His research interests include literary and cultural studies, theatre and performance, and the history of Singapore theatre. He is the author of Scenes: Singapore Chinese Language Theatre 1913-2013, and Gao Xingjian and Transcultural Chinese Theatre, and the editor of Drama Box 30 Keywords, Scenes: An Anthology of Contemporary Singapore Chinese Plays (co-edited), and The Complete Works of Kuo Pao Kun.

Moderator:

Assistant Professor Dr Chan Cheow Thia
Department of Chinese Studies
National University of Singapore

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