Second Link,The Singapore-Malaysia Text Exchange

W!ld Rice in collaboration with Five Arts Centre and The Actors Studio presents
Second Link
Directed by Ivan Heng.
Curated by Eleanor Wong, Alvin Pang and Leow Puay Tin.

Featuring an All-Star Singapore-Malaysia cast!:
Anne James
Edwin Sumun
Fahmi Fadzil
Gani Abdul Karim
Jonathan Lim
Karen Tan
Lim Yu Beng
Neo Swee Lin
Reza Zainal Abidin
Sukania Venugopal

Second Link is a provocative, insightful literary texts and humorous performance celebrating the work of Singaporean and Malaysian writers; with diverse topics ranging from the Merlion and Singlish, through nationality, race and sexuality. Directed by Ivan Heng and featuring a stunningly accomplished company of 10 actors from the two countries, Second Link will surprise, delight and reveal the obsessions and concerns of the cities' denizens and artists.

The production makes a return to Kuala Lumpur after two years, where it was first performed as Riding The Nice Bus at Zouk KL and directed by the late theatre legend Krishen Jit for the Kuala Lumpur Literary Festival 2006.

Since then, the show has been presented alongside Tikam-Tikam: Malaysian Roulette, directed by Singapore’s Ivan Heng and has made pit stops at the Hong Kong City Festival 2006 and the Singapore Theatre Festival 2006. This physical theatre performance of more than 50 texts from an eclectic selection of drama, poetry, novels and interviews, playfully introduces the audience to the joys, relevance and meaning of literature and found texts in the context of the two countries.

Through voice, movement, sets, costumes and lighting, 10 actors from both sides of Causeway come together to wring vivid meanings from the texts, opening new ways of appreciating literature – moving the private and personal experience of reading a book to a joyfully shared, communal experience.

A keen observation of life through more than 50 writers’ eyes, what emerges is a celebration of the written word and shared history and stories of two inseparable countries was a hit with audiences and critics in Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Expect laughter and fresh points of view as the Singaporeans and Malaysians perform each other's stories, icons and idiosyncrasies, even as they playfully invite you to make up your own tale of two cities.

Venue: The Actors Studio Bangsar, Level 3, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
Dates & Tickets: 8.30pm, 30-31 August ’06 – special 49th Merdeka price RM49!
8.30pm, 1-2 September ’06 – RM57.
3.00pm, 2-3 September ’06 – RM57.
Student & senior citizens (55 and above) – RM25 for all shows.
Box-office: The Actors Studio (tel 03-2094 0400 / 2094 1400).

For more information, call/fax Five Arts Centre at 03-7725 4858, email fivearts at tm.net.my, www.fiveartscentre.org.