F4t Kids are Harder to Kidnap
The tone of F4t Kids Are Harder to Kidnap is set the moment you enter the Play Den. The beanbag chairs and the simple black and white programme book, which the cast calls a “menu”, clues the audience in on that this will be “casual viewing”. While the audience streams in, local musical duo the Glad Stones warms up the stage with some original pieces.
When the cast steps on stage, it is clear from the smiles from the audience that their energy is infectious. F4t Kids takes on a uniquely interactive format. The entire production consists of thirty-one sketches and the cast attempts to perform all of them within just sixty minutes. The twist is that the audience chooses the sequence in which the skits are performed, by choosing a play from the “menu” and shouting its corresponding number from one to thirty-one whenever the cast says, “Next!”.
This means, of course, that every performance is unique.
The audience interaction is attractive but what really impresses is how the skits discusses a wide-range of issues with wit and humour.
The sketches comments on a variety of light-hearted issues from a local fast-food chain’s recent attempt to sell up-market food, stereotypes that foreigners have about Singapore and common local gripes such as the seasonal haze.
In the midst of the many laughs, one skit that stands out is “Jason”. It is a somber piece about two parents coming to terms with their four-year-old transgender son. In the sketch lasting less than five minutes, actors Pavan and Ross manages to convey the complex emotions as parents, but also the hope the child is finally happy in her own skin.
F4t Kids as a production works because of its accessible content, engaging actors and interactive format. I look forward to watching their next run in 2017.