Ever heard of the theatre group Wild Rice? They have numerous plays under their belt and I've been blessed to watch a couple of their plays before, just to name one is "Aladdin". They narrate in a very unique way and is suitable for both the young and old. I feel that it is rather enriching and a fresh and unique perspective of approaching such well known stories. One of their latest production is about the classic love story, The Importance of Being Earnest. I was reading the papers on febuary 25th when I saw news about how the Media Development Autority (MDA) has given an advisory of "16 years and above" rating. This is so because Wild Rice used an all-male cast in this re-interpretation of the story. Though MDA says that it is not a mandatory rating, I agree with how director, Glen Goei, views this rating. He states that they are "perplexed and disappointed" as this is a very popular classic play which is "studied in schools and staged in theatres worldwide". Some of the male casts will be playing female roles but they will not be clad in dresses. This satirical romantic comedy displays affection between the couples. Goei comments that "he wanted to stage Earnest with an all-male cast because he felt that it would stay true to the message of the play, which is to be true to oneself. He also wanted to reflect the play-wright's liberal views about his sexuality as a gay man, adding that he stands by his directional decision." I agree whole-heartedly with Goei as I've did literature books on Oscar Wilde and it involves alot of homosexuality and the finding of oneself. This was taught to me in Secondary School. It just makes me wonder why Singapore has to protect their younger growing teens to such an extent by sheltering them from the liberal views of the world. By doing so, these media gatekeepers (MDA) will tend to create a society with a brain-washed mindset of homosexuality. This close-minded mindset is exactly what singapore needs to do away with as the world is evolving, if we are to shut ourselves from such changes, we will be only but a "frog in the well".
Wild Rice have thought about it and given schools special discounted prices so as to encourage pupils and literature teachers to watch the play. I personally believe that by watching the play, it will allow pupils to be aware of such situations and teachers or parents will then have to play their part by explaining to them the meaning of such actions. This should be the right way of upbringing, in my opinion. In this way, MDA will not need to worry about those "who may not be familiar with the original play" and thus "likely to be confused about its content and underlying messages".
Everybody has their own opinions. this is mine. so what's yours?
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My opinion is that having a homosexual play is different from having a homosexual langauge book studied in school. Under the teacher's supervision, yes, the students are exposed to the unknown but with supervision and explanation. But at the theatre, throughout the show, the adolescents will have to interprete the play by themselves and thus, this may cause some to mis-interprete certain issues. I doubt that MDA is doing the wrong thing. I feel that they are just cautious.
ReplyDelete-germaine
I remember reading a short abstract on Oscar Wilde when I was still in secondary school. Though i did not do the entire book, the short abstract alone was sufficient to make many of my classmates, including myself, to squirm and squeal at the language and image portrayed. But now that I'm all grown up, I feel that as kids, its probably normal to have such a reaction because of the way we're brought up. But exposing ourselves to the world is essential. I think that the MDA should not put up any restriction as this may just cause our ounger population to be more sheltered. Maylene, what you say is exactly how i feel. Let's hope that MDA revises their call!
ReplyDelete-Vivien
I believe the world is not ready to go full force in accepting the whole homosexual rights and all? But I do know that singapore is still rather uptight about making it more vocal and liberal.
ReplyDeleteViv, your view is totally understandable. perhaps singapore should note that literature is different from pornography. so in this case, schools should come up with ways to ensure that they are enriching their students with vital knowledge and not groundless sex scenes.
germ, being cautious may be detrimental in the long run! if MDA wanted to be cautious, they should be engaging singapore's students with much more sex education and explanations than what we have now. Influence is a major factor here and as we become a more globalised nation, it is inevitable that we are influenced by the liberal lifestyle of the western countries. hence, being so sheltered may actually be the cause of our high abortion rates in singapore.
ReplyDeletewould it be right to say that by censoring and refusing to show the whole story, by letting students know that it is censored because of certain issues, it would only cause them to be more curious?
ReplyDeleteI mean, it is after all going to be something that they will come to know sooner or later. so by restricting them, being adolescents, curiousity will get the better of them.
thoughts?
i get what you mean. but the old term stays, curiosity killed the cat...
ReplyDelete-germaine