In lieu of the ongoing elections, The Necessary Stage and Drama Box are providing free access to the video recording of the 2018 production Underclass from now till July 25 on Vimeo. The Necessary Stage's critically acclaimed production is in collaboration with 戏剧盒 Drama Box. The play explores poverty, inequality and human dignity in Singapore. Underclass follows the story of Xinyi (played Goh Guat Kian), who finds herself in a downward spiral after losing her job and her flat. When she moves into a rental unit, she meets Johari (Yazid Jalil), who she strikes up a friendship with.
In these times, it's more important than ever to explore questions about the widening class divide in Singapore. Who speaks up for the marginalised in society? Or will they be airbrushed out of our national narrative of prosperity and progress?
The show, which was performed at The Necessary Stage Black Box on May 16 to June 3, 2018, won Goh Guat Kian Best Actress at 2019 The Straits Times Life Theatre Award.
If you enjoyed the production and want to support The Necessary Stage and Drama Box, consider donating to giving.sg/thenecessarystage/covid19 and giving.sg/dramabox. All donations to both companies will qualify for a 2.5 times tax deduction, and will also be eligible for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth's Cultural Matching Fund.