Fresh off the staging of Tuesdays with Morrie, Singapore Repertory Theatre brings Adam
Rapp’s The Sound Inside to the KC Arts Centre this March. A play by the Pulitzer Prize
Finalist, The Sound Inside follows an unusual connection forged between a pair of literary-
minded people: a professor and a student.
Hailed by The New York Times as “an astonishing new play”, The Sound Inside looks at how
two brilliant but social misfits connect and bond with each other. Bella Bird (played by
Serene Chan) is an accomplished professor at an Ivy League university who prizes her
solitude; while Christopher John (Krish Natarajan) is a brilliant, mysterious student who
eventually becomes Bella's ally to tackle a challenge. Intensely intimate and deeply moving,
the haunting play explores the question of what one person can do for another.
“In the current global situation where people have been kept apart by the widespread
implementation of lockdowns and social distancing, staging The Sound Inside has never
been more relevant. Finding human connection is more important than ever before,” says
Charlotte Nors, Managing Director of SRT.
She adds: “We reopened our theatre in November 2020 with Mitch Albom’s insightful play,
Tuesdays with Morrie, and continue our journey of discovery with this dazzling two-hander
by Adam Rapp. Theatre holds up a mirror to society in a way that helps us understand and
make sense of our world. This is especially true during our current period of global
uncertainties.”
The Sound Inside, directed by Cherilyn Woo, stages from March 10 at the KC Arts Centre.
Tickets start from $45 on SISTIC or www.srt.com.sg.
Review
Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) reopened to sold-out stagings of Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie last November. Now, it's kicking off its 2021 season with a Broadway play written by OBIE award-winning playwright and director Adam Rapp. The Sound Inside is a poignant and gripping two-hander that follows an unusual connection forged between a pair of literary-minded people: a professor and a student.
"A middle-aged professor of undergraduate creative writing at a prestigious Ivy League University stands before an audience of strangers," the spotlight shines on Serene Chen, as she emerges out of the darkness. "She can’t quite see them but they’re out there. She can feel them – they’re as certain as old trees. Gently creaking in the heavy autumn air."
Audiences are introduced to Serene's character, Bella Bird, in a dark and lonely setting void of any character or colour. She's a 53-year-old creative writing professor at Yale University. We soon find out that she's facing a terminal cancer diagnosis. As the play progresses, Bella forms a surprising bond with Christopher John (Krish Natarajan), a brilliant – yet entitled – student who eventually becomes Bella’s ally to tackle a challenge.
Serene's performance is magic in itself. The theatre veteran almost single-handedly commands the room with her stage presence, flawlessly bringing forth Bella’s story through dry humour. We were also transfixed by the performance of her younger co-actor, who is also the co-founder of Singapore Youth Theatre Collective Patch and Punnet. Krish’s portrayal of Christopher John is completely riveting, so much so that those unfamiliar with his works probably wouldn’t be able to tell that The Sound Inside marks his debut in an SRT play.
Not forgetting director Cherilyn Woo, who has productions like Oedipus by Nine Years Theatre and Singapore Symphony Orchestra's La Boheme under her belt. Featuring a talented mix of cast and crew (set designer Petrina Dawn Tan, costume designer Tan Jia Hui, lighting designer Genevieve Peck and sound designer Daniel Wong), The Sound Inside makes its way into the list of the most compelling theatre productions we’ve seen in a while.
For those hoping to catch the play, here’s good news. SRT has extended its run till April 16 due to popular demand. So book your tickets for an evening at the KC Arts Centre and expect some terrific literary references (J.D. Salinger, Fred Gipson and James Salter, anyone?), a healthy dose of self-deprecating humour and a shocking plot twist.
Review by Dewi Nurjuwita