A play for one actor, written by award-winning playwright Huzir Sulaiman, Occupation weaves the true story of Huzir’s grandmother, Mrs. Mohamed Siraj, with the experiences of a fictional character Sarah. This production celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Checkpoint Theatre and forms part of activities at the National Museum of Singapore to mark the re-opening of the Singapore History Gallery and its focus on events in WWII under the Japanese occupation.
Occupation first premiered in 2002 as a Singapore Arts Festival commission; and was performed by Claire Wong, to considerable acclaim. This new production is directed by Claire Wong; and stars Jo Kukathas. An important contribution to the preservation of oral history and to recording Singapore’s unique experience during the war in the Pacific.
“An intimate journey through the labyrinth of memories of love and loss, and a celebration of that which has passed and that which remains forever. Vivid, humorous and beautiful.”
An old woman’s recollection of romance under the Japanese occupation in Singapore caused her young interviewer to re-evaluate life, memory and history.
Mrs. Siraj was a young woman in her teens during the war years and spent most of the occupation sequestered in her large family home. Later, in her eighties, Mrs. Siraj is interviewed by Sarah, a bureucrat tasked with collating Singapore’s oral history. In looking at the past, Sarah struggles with questions of her own life in modern day Singapore

CAST

Performer ......... Jo Kukathas

PRODUCTION

Playwright .................. Huzir Sulaiman
Director ......... Claire Wong
Set Design ......... Andy Lim, Claire Wong
Lighting Design ......... Andy Lim
Sound Design ......... Shah Tahir
Costume Designer ......... Priscilla Shunmugam
Hair & Make Up Design ......... Joanna Koh
Production Manager ......... Koh Bee Bee
Stage Manager ......... Petrina Tan
Assistant Stage Manager ......... Mag Eviangel Winter
Front of House Manager ......... Christine Yeo
Marketing & FOH Support ......... Laremy Lee, Lucas Ho
Production Photograph ......... Wesley Loh/ Memphis West Pictures Studio
Production Image Design ......... Wong Hussar
Rehearsal Photographs .........Tan Ngiap Heng