Duncan Macmillan's work has been performed throughout the world, from the National Theatre to the Royal Court at Melbourne Theatre Company. Now, one of his brilliant plays will be staged right here in Singapore at KC Arts Centre – Home of SRT. The play in question? Lungs, which premiered in 2011 at the Studio Theater in Washington, D.C.
After successful runs of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Sound Inside, Singapore Repertory Theatre presents the two-hander written by critically acclaimed English playwright Duncan Macmillan. It's directed by theatre veteran Daniel Jenkins and premiering on June 19.
The play follows an everyday couple – played by Oon Shu An and Joshua Lim – in a fairly stable relationship. Out of the blue, he pops the question about having a baby. What follows is an emotional rollercoaster ride – an intensely intimate, intricate and funny play about what it means to be a couple confronted by a world of uncertainty. They grapple with making responsible choices in the face of rising social inequity, environmental disaster and political unrest. But what happens when life takes over and their principles are pushed aside?
Lungs is a fast-paced love story that will take your breath away – and it's one you definitely must-see. Shows at SRT sell out fast, so be sure to get your tickets in advance. For more info, visit srt.com.sg/show/lungs.
Review
He’s a musician, she’s a PhD student. We're introduced to our main characters discussing the idea of having a baby in the most romantic of places: IKEA. Unlike most love stories, however, this one isn’t filled with warmth and passion.
From an outsider’s perspective, there’s something missing in the relationship between the two main characters from the get-go. The relationship between the nameless characters seems almost transactional. It seems cold, detached and uninspiring. The two lovers overthink every move instead of just living in the moment. But hear us out. Duncan Macmillan has done an excellent job of portraying real-life relationships. Perhaps it’s not all roses and butterflies; perhaps relationships shouldn’t be linear after all.
The audience soon becomes wrapped up in the duo’s existential crisis, which is as much about their potential offspring just as much as it is about the environment. They worry about the carbon footprint of a prospective baby, which apparently is “10,000 tonnes of CO2”, and talk about planting trees to offset the damage. It’s almost absurd or satirical. But upon deep reflection, are those fears unfounded? We think not.
This isn’t a typical modern love story. In fact, Lungs is actually a climate change drama about the choices we make in the face of imminent climate catastrophe. Lungs first made its debut in 2011. However, its Singapore staging is significantly timely especially with recent headlines about deforestation in Singapore, the sheer disregard for wildlife and our forests.
An apt play for the times, Lungs also revolves around emotional distance. It feels almost alienating. The set is intentional left bare, empty except for planks of wood contrasted against metal barriers in the background – a satirical reminder of the world that’s going through massive changes. What the set lacks, however, the brilliant acting coupled with the hilarious and witty script makes up for – and that's exactly the playwright's intention.
“I wanted to write something for two really good actors where they could tell a story unmediated by props, scene changes, costume changes, mime, lighting or sound queues, just two bodies in space, letting the audience fill in the gaps,” the playwright once said in an interview with The Old Vic. “It seems appropriate somehow that the play is as ‘carbon-neutral’ as possible.”
As always, SRT's done an excellent job with casting. The two actors carry their roles flawlessly, pulling the audience in. Oon Shu An – who’s involved in productions across theatre, film and TV (including Netflix series Marco Polo) – is no stranger to acting. Her character is more dominant, evident in her honest monologues about motherhood, climate change and their relationship. Joshua Lim’s character, on the other hand, is more chilled out – although lacking initiative or ethics. The fact that Lungs is a two-hander makes it all the more impressive.
Lungs is a production that has to be experienced both inside and outside of the theatre. Come with an open mind, and set aside some time for deep contemplation after. After all, everyone will process the message of the play differently. But one thing is for sure: with political uncertainty all around the world and the turbulent times we're living in now, the production should definitely be on your to-do list.
Review by Dewi Nurjuwita