National Language Class

3-5 April 2008
Esplanade Studio Theatre

Remember a time when Singapore was forever Malaya?

Thought not.

In 1959, artist Chua Mia Tee painted a group of Chinese students learning Malay. Today, the painting is called ‘National Language Class’. In their critically acclaimed play inspired by the painting, spell#7 revisit this vision of a future that never happened, and asks: how good is your national language?

Starting out as a language lesson with the audience, National Language Class stages multiple versions of Chua’s iconic painting in a bid to get to grips with history, and resolve simmering tensions between teacher and pupil. As it develops into a power-play by turns humorous and menacing, tender and explosive, the performance asks: what is the relationship between who you are and the language you speak? And what does it mean to take a new language on – or give one away?

Interactive and inventive, National Language Class is an exercise in creative translation that suggests the past isn’t what it used to be – and nor are we.



Performed by Yeo Yann Yann and Noor Effendy Ibrahim
Directed by Paul Rae



“…an innovative blend of language class, art tour and two man evocation of race relations… One felt enriched to have attended it.” (The Straits Times)

“A tender yet unsettling piece.” (The Substation Magazine)

"...a landmark work that speaks honestly, incisively and powerfully about the Singapore experience." (The Flying Inkpot)

For Flying Inkpot review, click here.

For a response on Kakiseni, click here.

Presented by spell#7
in collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay as part of
.