Charged

by Chong Tze Chien
Teater Ekamatra
Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre, Singapore 

Chong Tze Chien’s acclaimed 2010 play about two National Servicemen who are found dead during guard duty over Chinese New Year remains as powerful, explosive and urgent as ever in this fine revival by Teater Ekamatra. 

Director Mohd Fared Jainal coaxes fantastic performances from his cast and brings a thoughtful and nuanced eye to the action, blending the visceral with the poetic.

Admittedly, the script shows its age in places and some scene transitions could be tighter but its exploration of race, class and privilege is as salient as ever. Everyone carries their own pains and prejudices and this production reminds us that sometimes the most important thing is empathy—reaching out for the person next to you and simply trying to understand.

The Crystalwords score: 4/5