[TimeOutSingapore] December Rains: Interview with Kit Chan
What happens when love doesn’t quite go the way you had planned? Y-Jean
Mun-Delsalle chats with Kit Chan, who returns to the stage after a four-year
hiatus, about Mandarin musical December Rains
The restaging of Toy Factory’s Mandarin blockbuster December Rains, the
highlight of the bilingual theatre company’s 20th-anniversary celebrations,
is an epic tragedy set in the radically evolving Singapore of the 1950s. The
love story is set against events such as the Hock Lee bus riots and the
pro-Communist student uprising, and is related through haunting music and
artful staging.
Li Qing (Kit Chan) and Xiong (George Chan) are caught between filial piety
and following their hearts’ desires. Decades later, after a series of
fateful decisions, lost love and failed ideals, history appears to repeat
itself. Will it all end in tears, or will a rainbow emerge after all the
rain?
Tell me about your character. I play the romantic heroine, Li Qing [on her
journey from] an idealistic 18-year-old filled with romantic notions in the
1950s to a hardened, cynical businesswoman in the ’80s. The metamorphosis of
my character, both emotionally and physically, is both a joy and a challenge
to tackle.
Where do you find inspiration? I read books and watch films voraciously.
However, developing your own character, especially one that is not quite
established, means that you need to do a lot more work. This can start off
with something academic like research into the ’50s and ’80s, to using your
imagination to build up your character’s history and, eventually, to
organically get ‘under the skin’ of your character throughout the course of
the rehearsal period.
What was it like working with director Goh Boon Teck and actors George Chan
and Jeffrey Low? It’s my first time working with BT and Low. Boon is
surprisingly old-school and almost classical in his approach. He spends
substantial time workshopping the script and characters, reminding me of my
drama school days. Jeff [Low] is a thoroughly experienced and confident
actor, with many layers to his acting. He’s really hilarious. As for George,
I’ve worked with him so many times before. He’s an old friend, and an
extremely professional actor.
This was the first Mandarin musical written in Singapore. How does it feel to
be at the helm of its restaging? I have a strange affinity with this show.
When it was first staged in 1996, I was a newbie, and was invited to act in
the supporting role of Li Qing’s daughter, which my management company
declined due to my other work commitments. Fourteen years later, I am invited
to play the heroine, and the writers have since become my good friends and
long-time collaborators. How can I not take up the offer this time? It’d be
a crime!
What will the audience [through December Rains] learn about 1950s Singapore?
I think a lot of people, those born after 1965, are unaware of the strong
feelings Singaporean Chinese had for China back then. It was the sort of
idealism and burning passion that modern-day Singaporeans can hardly imagine.
Many thought it was a made-up story and were surprised that it was based on
history.
December Rains is being staged as part of 'Toy 20', a theatre festival at
Esplanade Theatres on The Bay from 5-15 Aug marking the 20th anniversary of
local theatre group Toy Factory. Tickets for December Rains are priced at
$69, $89, $109 and $129.
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