The Second Breakfast Company is back with a refreshed version of The Hawker, following a sold-out run at the 2018 Asian Youth Theatre Festival. Written by new playwright Aslam Shah, the play follows nine Singaporeans converging in a hawker centre on its last day before closing down after 43 years to make way for redevelopment.
For those unfamiliar with immersive theatre, it basically involves a production removing the stage and "immerse" audiences within the performance itself – offering a whole new perspective of the show. You've probably heard of NYC's Sleep No More or Drunk Shakespeare. But it's refreshing to see the concept tailored for the local audience – and judging by the turn out of the opening night, a clever move, too.
Aliwal Arts Centre is transformed into a hawker centre setting – colourful tiled floors, posters plastered on the walls, roti prata cart, and red and white plastic chairs included. Audiences will sit at the hawker centre tables we're all too familiar with, "choped" with tissue packets, amongst different characters to eavesdrop on their conversations and listen in on their intriguing (and even heartbreaking) stories. The play touches upon the tribulations of those affected by the closure, inspired by real-life anecdotes heard by Aslam.
The play begs the question, are we losing our heritage and culture? And as old buildings are put up for en-bloc or demolished to make way for bigger and modern facilities, what is the future of hawker culture?