As I was approaching the art centre, I can hear a cheerful cry of this little toddler boy playing catch with his dad that was really pronounced. The sound of a playful endearment with his dad knowing that his father is going to catch him up with a big hug draws a lasting smile on my face as I was staring over the poster of "The Son" whom the father was hugging his troubled son.
But what really caught my attention was this board that printed a slogan ""Unite Against Mental Health Stigma" - Share your words of encouragement and support for your loved ones and persons in recovery." And that itself, speaks a thousand words of awareness.
This play not only targets the social concerns of today but it is definitely something to be applauded by the society for it's effort and duty for being a catalyst by educating the society what it means to have someone with mental health deficiency. We know, in the Asian context, mental health is always a taboo, a negative connotation to be a centre of acceptance today. Nevertheless, Adrian and Tracie Pang's bold initiative to convey something so poignant is what deemed courageous!
I hereby took the initiative to review this play in a local art scene here in Singapore, would be a good exposure (for me) and also an exercise for me on how the performing arts is like over here as compared to my home country, Malaysia. The old saying has always coined out our similarities that is so uncanny but that was 30 - 40 years ago. I will remain silence on the differences for the good of The Son's review.
This play was so cleverly written by a French novelist & playwright, Florian Zeller (Translated by Christopher Hampton) in which it was so highly acclaimed that it won him numerous awards. Hereinafter, we were fortunate enough to have it here at our doorstep by experiencing it with such honor. Technically, the stage and sets were arranged with linear perspective, and it was strategically so to cater for such a dynamic story line.
Magnificently, the casts of 6 beautiful actors gave the audiences a spellbinding performance, and all the more, they did not disappoint with that span of 2 hours. Honestly, it doesn't feel like it was 2 hours at all. And I must confess, it's really a heavy subject to comprehend or maybe to digest and they gave it their all with such a beautifully gut wrenching performance to be dealt with. All of them should be highly commended with the highest regards! Not easy!
They have conveyed with clarity, I understood.
Their portrayal was raw and true, I cried.
The show has imparted with a strong messages, I received with privilege.
Regardless on how I couldn't bring myself to laugh when their jokes and punch lines were executed and they were truly on point. "The Son" has brought me to tears so much so, I have to look away from the stage. The flashbacks on my painful memories has brought forth a taste of nostalgia that no one could ever asked for, then again it strengthens the weak when we knew what good has came out of it (ONLY when we seek help)!
Mental health is never to be taken lightly, and I for one, was living with one in such a circumstance. Adversely, the closest among these victims are their family members, and vast majority, the ones that are in heavy denial are the family members and this play portrays it so disgustingly true. It bares the ugliness of how we human reacts to such a turmoil.
Few factors within the our community that are heavily in denial with this subject matter and it is because to them, it's shameful, or maybe it's a disgrace or the notional myth of generational curses. All of this screams, Taboo. Hence, the should-be victim's number one supporter tends to suppress the matter and they are never allowed to speak of it. Sad, but this is the world that we are living in.
Then again, if the victim themselves do not come to terms by accepting their mental health condition. It would be so difficult for their family to express their help and support or to help carry their burdens with them. Yes, providing such assurance can be daunting on a daily basis, then again family members ought to understand that such love and support is greatly needed.
At the end of the performance, we were told not to expose any of the spoilers or leak any of the story plot that was prepared diligently for the audience to enjoy such an impactful play. Bravo bravo bravo once again!
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