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[title]Working in the arts is easy and lucrative. Said nobody, ever. And yet, you’ll never come across a more passionate bunch of people. So what keeps their fire burning? That’s what emerging director Tan Liting explores in her new work, The Truth about Lying: Heresy and Common Sense for the Theatre. Part of a mini festival by The Finger Players, the production is based on interviews Tan conducted with both veteran and up-and-coming actors in Singapore. She tells us what she learnt.
"One theme keeps coming up: if you love what you do, you’ll do whatever you can to keep doing it."
Why the focus on local actors?
When I was selected by The Finger Players to be part of the [Watch the Space director’s mentorship] programme, I wanted to take this opportunity to devise an original work. So I got a bunch of actors together and started asking very personal questions about passion and obsession. And the actors were sharing with me stories about their career and their lives. So it became a natural thing to talk about actors and acting.
How did you decide which actors to interview?
The first three – Chanel Chan, M Haja and Shafiqhah Efandi – were obvious choices because they’re in the cast, and their stories form the base on which the piece is built. I happen to be fortunate in the sense that I’ve met many actors who are at different stages of their careers.
Tan Liting. Photo: David Lee
"It’s a balancing act between ‘artist’ and ‘actor for hire’"
What were the most memorable things you learnt?
One theme keeps coming up: if you love what you do, you’ll do whatever you can to keep doing it. Almost everyone I spoke to said this in one way or another. Some with optimism, some resignation.
What are the most challenging aspects of being an actor?
From what I observe, it’s a balancing act between the ‘artist’ part of yourself, and the ‘actor for hire’ part of yourself. Because if you want to, you can do corporate events and make good money. But to be a working artist, to devote time to expressing opinions and making commentary… those opportunities don’t always come by. I think as an actor in Singapore, you’ll struggle with this balancing act.