SAS HS Drama presents “Requiem for Change”

The SAS High School theatre program is now part of a global collaboration with the David Glass Ensemble (UK), LASALLE College of the Arts (Singapore) and East 15 Acting School (UK). The Singapore American School production will be the first High School production of this work, a new iteration aimed at making the play accessible to younger performers and audience. Already two years in the making, this ongoing multi-cultural collaboration is working towards a UK production with an international cast in 2021.

Inspired by Naomi Klein’s earth-shattering book, ‘This Changes Everything’, the David Glass script is an epic, devised work about the titanic struggle between late-Capitalism and Climate Change; potentially the last great story of humanity. The play does not seek to preach. It is a visually and emotionally charged piece of physical theatre for the heart and mind.

The play tells the story of mankind through the history of one family. Klein is an investigative journalist researching Capitalism’s effect on Climate Change, while her sister, Naomi, is a reclusive cellist who is battling nature to become pregnant. Naomi’s husband, Mahler, is struggling to write a requiem to be performed at the close of the World Climate Change Summit in November 2016. The piece moves across fragments of time — from the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps in 1945, to the stories of Nature, and Naomi’s young daughter in today’s world. It chronicles the biggest global undertaking ever envisaged and enacted by human beings to save the planet and ourselves.

Singapore American School students will work with director Tom Schulz, members of the LASALLE production, and David Glass to create a new piece of theatre, which is united and inspired by the two previous productions, but applies nuances and artistry to a uniquely individual production. The show will run October 3 at 4:30 and October 4 at 4:30 & 7:30 in the Drama Theatre at Singapore American School’s Woodlands campus.

“Energetic and visceral, uses the physicality of the performers to full effect, skilfully weaving together a strong visual language with narrative. David Glass has created an epic yet intimate production, which engages the audience to question their humanity, through stories which are personal and universal.” —Tracey Low, Producer - Manchester International Festival

“The images and set pieces were totally stunning. This is clearly the beginning of an important piece of epic theatre.”

—Mike Alfreds, Theatre Director

“A fascinating culmination of ideas given form, a fantasy and nightmare version of the world we live in today that grants both hope and fear of what lies ahead, if we even make it that far.”

- Backchormeeboy, Singapore

“David Glass remains one of the pioneers and key figures of British and International Theatre.”

—John McGrath, Artistic Director - Manchester International Festival

* Please note that the show is recommended for ages 14+ due to mature content and subject matter.