BITTEN: Return to Our Roots by Thong Pei Qin & Nidya Shanthini Manokara

By jaclynchong, 10 February, 2022
Category
Creation Residency
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Bitten Thumbnail.jpeg
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Only year and month are confirmed
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BITTEN: Return to Our Roots is a closer look at what fundamentally roots all of us, in our generation’s attempt to reconnect with out cultures and lineage, yet giving a fresh spin on how we interpret our traditions. How are elements of family history passed down from one generation to the next? Are bloodlines the only way to understand heritage, family and human ties? How do our different traditions and cultures coalesce to create the unique Singapore identity and kampong spirit?

BITTEN: Return to Our Roots was developed under Centre 42's Basement Workshop (now known as the Creation Residency). Read about Basement Workshop here.

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Development Milestones
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July 2016 - November 2018
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by Centre 42
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In-Residence at Basement Workshop
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24 July 2016
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by Centre 42
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Bitten was first read to a small private audience of theatre practitioner friends to garner feedback for the script in July 2016. This phase was supported by Centre 42’s Guest Room platform. You can find out more about the reading below.

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Bitten by Thong Pei Qin & Nidya Shanthini Manokara
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Reading-Presentation under Guest Room
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January 2017
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As part of M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2017’s Fresh Fringe
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Work-in-Progress Showcase
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24, 25 November & 1, 2 December 2018
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at Kampong Bugis
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In 2018, the work was developed and presented as a site-specific work with the title Bitten: Return to Our Roots. The performance comprised an element of a walking tour, in and around Kampong Bugis including the 130-year-old Sri Manmatha Karuneshvarar temple,  the former Sam Tat building and the former Kallang Gasworks Holder No. 3.

 

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Site-Specific Theatre Experience titled Bitten: Return to Our Roots
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Creation Process
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Creators Nidya Shanthini Manokara and Thong Pei Qin embark on a journey to weave together the collective stories, oral histories and shared heritage of Kampong Bugis. Inspired by their own grandparents’ stories and homes that were situated within the vicinity in the 1930s to 1960s, the two friends wish to invite audience members to remember this site with historical significance, and to find out what binds people of diverse origins and cultures. This endeavour is urgent as new developments have been announced to give the Kallang Riverside a new look, with works beginning end of 2018.

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A production photo taken at Kallang Gasworks Holder Structure, with audience members seated on red chairs in the centre and three performers at different corners.
Members / Person Credits
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Thong Pei Qin
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Director
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Nidya Shanthini Manokara
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Choreographer
Dancer
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Masturah Oli
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Actor
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Seong Hui Xuan
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Actor
Start Date of Residency
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Only year and month are confirmed
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Yes