Hot learning experience while cooling off

SO there was just that chance that the first part of Drama Box's two-part presentation It Won't Be Too Long might not have run last Thursday, on Cooling-Off Day. After all, the topic and the consultative method of The Lesson could have been construed as political, even if no party logos were brandished.

The issue-based, community "theatre" was right in sync with the mood of the week, as Singaporeans prepared to go to vote in the 2015 General Election the next day. Which made the issue - what amenity would the estate trade, for a new MRT station? - all the more real, and it was good to see an engaged audience.

For instance, a group of young adults next to me in Drama Box's cool inflatable "theatre" seemed quite into the forum theatre format that I had to ask them if they represented any NGO or if they were regular Drama Box supporters. It turned out that besides the interesting topic, "it's one of the free events" of the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), which is why the mixed group of 6-8 registered (or so they said) - though it seemed more likely they had a friend participating as one of the residents.