Generally shying away from productions involving audience participation I entered Rupert Thomson’s play with a little trepidation.  Any anxieties, in fact all anxieties were magically dispelled as I was taken on what could be described as a  philosophical and mutually constructed journey.

The play ‘Singapore’ begins with a volunteer from the audience taking centre stage with the sole director and actor (Mr Thomson himself).  Often an audience member is brought on a stage with the status of a pawn, yet here she was instantly bestowed with the highest rank and invited to read aloud from a manifesto and asked to convince Mr Thomson of the truth within it.

Questions and answers followed the reading and here began a profound experience.  The concept of the place ‘Singapore’ as an actual play unfolds with a gentle weaving of audience experience with the director’s own life-changing personal experience of the place Singapore.

The play meanders and shapes the human mind according to the participants, and just as in life, one never knows quite what will transpire.  However, as a place previously unknown to me, I was also furnished with many interesting facts about the pla(y)ce, most especially of its tranquility and generosity of spirit.

Singapore is theatre with the capacity to really connect people and I would highly recommend it, including for those who might otherwise avoid participative experiences, perhaps most especially so.

Singapore will be performed again on August 20 at 15:00. Tickets are £5 / £4 and available at http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/singapore