“The Battle of Waterloo Street” by Lim Shien Hian

Synopsis:
You walk down the street. You pick up this audio play. The title compels you: a play on the origin of ‘Waterloo Street’, a reference to the battle that Napoleon famously lost. You don’t really have an idea what it’s about, but only one way to find out: you listen. 

What unfolds is a gritty and confronting walk down Waterloo Street, but in a time besieged by chaos and conflict. You are led towards an overwhelming question: how easily can you shed your humanity?

Artist Statement:

In writing this piece, I was inspired by the kampung-like spirit that some older residents recounted in their interviews, especially about the early decades on Waterloo Street. I got to thinking about what such a community would feel like in times of extreme crisis. In wartime stories, you hear about people rallying together, sometimes harbouring the persecuted, even helping the enemy. In situating this story in an imaginary war, I wanted to create a world where a harrowing, brutal reality contrasts with everyday human kindness, all set against a backdrop of looming oppression made ever-present by the sonic atmosphere of an audio play.

Advisory: Some coarse language and suggested violence.

Credits:

Playwright: Lim Shien Hian
Director: Cherilyn Woo
Cast: Benjamin Chow, Isabella Chiam, Timothy Wan, Saifuddin Jumadi, Masturah Oli, Shanjeevi Ganesan