As previously reported by ARTINFO, the Singapore Theatre Festival returns to the LaSalle College of the Arts for its fifth edition, which will run June 30-July 24 and feature eight new plays, including the century-sweeping historical drama “HOTEL,” the comedy “My Mother Buys Condoms,” and LGBT drama “Let’s Get Back Together.”Following our interview with the playwrights of “Let’s Get Back Together” and festival director Ivan Heng, we spoke to Heng again about his role as director of “My Mother Buys Condoms,” a comedy about a school teacher who finds love after retiring. We also briefly spoke to lead actress Lok Meng Chue, who plays the eponymous Mother, in between rehearsals.Ivan HengWhat made you want to direct this piece?Helmi Yusof’s script moves me. It raises issues that we need to talk about with a wonderful sense of humour and through characters we all recognise. Couched as a romantic comedy, My Mother Buys Condoms holds up a mirror to our racist, elitist and ageist attitudes. It debunks our moral panic, and champions every single human being’s right to love and be loved. What problems did you face in trying to stage the play?I wouldn’t call them problems – more like challenges, which we are always working to address in as creative a way as possible! Casting the perfect actor for each role took us many months. Once we secured the actors, we had workshops with the playwright to develop the script. We are presently in rehearsals. Without giving too much away, I’d say it’s always a challenge to put intimacy on stage.How important do you think it is that we tell the stories of older people?It’s vital. Everyone is going to get old!What message do you hope theatergoers take from the play?Love is a basic human need and also a right. Everyone should have the freedom to love, regardless of race, language, religion, sexual orientation and, in this instance, age.Lok Meng ChueWhat drew you to the character of Maggie?I believe in supporting new plays. So it’s not the character per se but the challenge of discovering the potential of a new play that draws me to this production.What was the hardest thing about doing this play?We’ve just started rehearsals so it’s tough to point out anything hard at all, especially when it’s been exciting and enjoyable working with a dedicated and generous team.What message do you hope theatergoers take from the play?Empathy.“Let’s Get Back Together” runs July 14-24 at LaSalle College of the Arts’ Creative Cube.
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