Today’s entertainment may be fast and furious, but playwright SIMON STEPHENS tells MELAINNE CHIEW that the real trick is to slow down…with theatre
ENGLISH PLAYWRIGHT SIMON Stephens conjures up plots that sometimes revolve around offbeat situations, but his characters often shine through hopeful moments and modest revelations. In his 2015 production, Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle, an older man and a young woman start an unlikely romance after a serendipitous encounter in a crowded train station. Their meeting is random and their lives glaringly dissimilar, but their paths are somehow intertwined.
“In a broken world, people remain connected,” the two-time Olivier Award-winning dramatist contemplates. “The world lends itself to pessimism, and optimism is the only mature position.”
Indeed, there is a thread common to his uncommon scenarios. Life is uncertain but somewhat comical, and his characters resonate with the audience in remaining profoundly human.
Coasting through an age of instant gratification and its flurried stream of content might leave us wondering if a more languidly paced theatre fits anymore. “In a world of acceleration, we need to move slowly,” Stephens offers. “Theatre is more relevant today than it ever was. It is one space that demands strangers to engage in a shared experience for a while. If we [playwrights] tell our stories with truth and complexity we may exercise the humanness of our audience.”
Denne historien er fra February 2018-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 2018-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Sailing Into A Dream
Scenes from the fantasy feature Game of Thrones come to life in the otherworldly landscapes of the Arctic Circle.
Here Come The Sun Seats
Italian furniture has long held the crown for blending luxurious, sophisticated design with impeccable craftsmanship.
ABSOLUMENT FAB
France's premier fair for fine-art and antiques returns for its third edition inside its new home in the Grand Palais.
Through the Director's Lens
Filmmaker JIA ZHANGKE and his protégé RAFAEL MANUEL share their perspectives on life, cinema and their current projects.
THE CUTTING EDGE
Having long played quiet supporting roles in the gem industry, gem cutters are finally having their day in the sun. Four acclaimed independent master gem cutters share more about their love of the craft and the creation of their best pieces.
Spheres of Power
Following up on the gold- and titanium-focused Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams launch collection, the superstar now turns to pearls for a softer, but no less striking, second act.
Horological Masterpieces Reimagined
Beyond the wrist, these timekeepers transcend all traditional boundaries.
WILD IMAGINATION
Cartier's latest category-spanning Panthère de Cartier novelties showcase the endless ways in which the panther continues to inspire.
READY FOR ACTION
The latest watch to come from the celebrated Richard Mille and McLaren partnership looks set to be another trailblazing timepiece.
THE RIGHT ANGLES
Twenty-five years after the launch of its last new collection, Twenty-4, Patek Philippe introduces the Cubitus range.