Monologues and Dialogues are the stuff of Shorts II (sequel to last year’s Shorts staged by Chaotic Harmony Theatre) with six very different plays covering a wide spectrum of human dilemma.

The first five contemporary plays separately portray a woman whom romance has bypassed, a prematurely retired military man who is unable to come to terms with his disability, a long-married couple who apparently have difficulty in communicating, a repairman who devises a final solution to his young friend’s recurring nightmares, and a young man’s confusion over his failure to meet his father’s expectations. The sixth play is set in ancient Egypt, where an insecure Pharaoh is manipulated by the high priest he presumed was his friend.

 

PRODUCTION DETAILS

PROGRAM & SYNOPSIS

SHORT A: OFF (Monologue, approximately 10 minutes)
Written, Directed and Performed by Prabu Krishnananthan.

How do you cope with life after being forced into unplanned early retirement because you lost your sight in an accident? Before the accident, you were active and powerful, with a highly promising future. Lt. Col. Frank Slade now isolates himself from his family and the outside world. His only companion is his personal aide, Charlie, who is paid to cope with the Colonel’s violent mood swings and outbursts, and a bond has been formed between them. This play depicts one of the Colonel’s more depressing moments with a conclusion that is very final.

SHORT B: THE PROBLEM (Duet, approximately 25 minutes)
Originally Written by A.R. Gurney Jr.; Adapted by Salim Maldern.
Directed by Salim Maldern and Lee Yee Yang.
Performed by Trisha Lyra Leo and Malik Taufiq.

What happens when two people cease to communicate in their marriage? Do they seek other forms of diversion or perversion? Do they seek alternative partners who can satisfy their sexual yearnings? What happens when you haven’t cohabitated for five years and the wife gets pregnant?

This play explores the dilemma the couple faces, and the resolution they finally arrive at – or do they? There is certainly a problem in the marriage, but it is not the one you might originally perceive.

SHORT C: PLACEBO (Monologue, approximately 25 minutes)
Originally Written by Andrew Vachss; Adapted by Salim Maldern.
Directed by Lee Yee Yang.
Performed by Timothy Chew.

A placebo is fine while you believe. But when the believing stops, you need a good friend to take up the slack. The Repairman has become a good friend to Mrs Desouza’s 10-year old son Tommy, who goes to a special school run by Dr Paul, and he makes a machine that helps overcome Tommy’s nightmares. However, there comes a day when the machine is no longer effective.

The Repairman loves Tommy and determines that his problems originate at the school. This play is about his determination to solve Tommy’s problems and the solution he finally arrives at.

INTERMISSION (15 MINUTES)

SHORT D: BREATHE (Monologue, approximately 12 minutes)
Written and Directed by Ho Sui Jim.
Performed by Timothy Chew.

There is a place where you can always be alone, where you have the time to contemplate the mysteries of life and reflect on just how you are handling your little corner of the world. And sometimes it’s the only place you can retreat to when you are different. At least there, there is no one to contradict you.

Is there any good way to tell your father that you are different and will not be fulfilling the dreams he had for you? And when you tell him, he sends you overseas because he can no longer bear to face you, even while he continues to support you financially.

And then your father dies and you are faced with a nine-year gap in communication that cannot be resolved.

SHORT E: CHICKS (Monologue, approximately 25 minutes)
Originally Written by Grace McKeaney; Adapted by Salim Maldern.
Directed by Salim Maldern.
Performed by Salmah Nur Mohamed.

You have been teaching for ten years and you are sick and tired of dealing everyday with people who pick their noses. You are desperate for love, but you have a senile father with whom you still live and you see no future unless you can get him into a retirement home. You are stuck with the kindergarten class and you love them but at the same time you are burdened by your failure in your personal life. You used to be an enthusiastic teacher, but now you are lonely and at times cynical. Life is passing Miss Phallon by, and we follow her through her moods swings on this, her last day at school.

SHORT F: PUPPET (Duet, approximately 15 minutes)
Written by Prabu Krishnananthan.
Directed by Lee Yee Yang.
Performed by Prabu Krishnananthan and Malik Taufiq.

You may be Pharoah of Egypt, but all your life you have been overshadowed by your adopted brother, Moses. You are insecure and rely heavily on the advice of your high priest, Hoyt. Yet Hoyt is not a good friend and has his own agenda. This play portrays Hoyt’s manipulation of Rameses, as he urges him to make war on the Hebrews.