THE 'UNTRUTH' SPEECHES
Producer’s Note
And they say time flies…
Through these 4 years, I have seen NUSBS grow. From one without much cultural activities, to one that is flourishing with songs, theatre, film, and now even dance.
When I was in my year one, I could only dream of such a thing. And now it is coming true.
This year, we move to a stage. One with proper lightings, with proper props. Minimal, but still sufficient. I thank NUSBS Management committee for being supportive of our efforts to push cultural activities in Buddhist Society. And having faith in me, despite the extreme problems with financials that we continue to have over the years. From a mere budget of $300 for one entire production, we have come far…It’s about $1000 this year. 4-digits. Yes. It’s a constant fight to try to squeeze every cent out of everything. (I hope the sponsors get to read this…)
I would like to sincerely thank all those who have given me support and dragged me through all the hard work and obstacles along the way. Without all your help, I don’t think we would have come so far. With special thanks to Peifen, for her belief in me being able to pull off the first BS Production, to Yuling, who has been constantly there to help Cultural pull through all these years, to Zisheng, who has been the most hardworking director I have ever seen, to Zhongru and Cynthia, who have worked for all the productions until now. Where would we be without you two wonderful actors (oh, and for Cynthia’s case, choreography too)…
This would be my final year here. Hope to BS Culture will continue to live on its legend, and continue to be here. 5 years, 10 year, perhaps 20 years down the road.
We took the risk. Therefore, we are. - ALVIN
Director’s Note
As the director of the BS Day Production for the second consecutive year, I must say I feel honoured to take up this role once again, especially since I am not professionally trained in theatre management. A director’s job is never easy, so I dare not take it lightly.
Playing the role of a director, I must ensure that my cast is fully relaxed before a rehearsal starts so that they can get into their character without too much difficulty at a later stage. Proper warming up is also crucial because it can affect an actor’s performance, so I have to conduct each session personally. Both relaxation and warming up are essential components of theatre and they must be conducted as a package. Albeit time-consuming, I will not compromise them for other things.
This year, I have chosen a different approach in directing. I collect feedback from my actors to find out if they are comfortable playing their allocated characters. Indeed, the feedback session has proven to be very useful and informative. It led to the rewriting of the script to encompass a greater aspect of the Kalama Sutta, the reference for this year’s theme. I hope everyone will enjoy this very entertaining and educational play.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for being tolerant (especially since I am often late for rehearsals) and for being cooperative. Additionally, I would like to thank both cast and crew for putting in their utmost effort to make this year’s BS Day Production a great success. Last, but not least, a big thank you to one and all who helped make the 2003 NUSBS Day Celebrations possible. - ZI SHENG
Choreographer’s Note
Hmm…
I can’t seem to find the right words to describe how I feel, being a part of the BS Production again for the third time.
Grateful? Happy? Honored? Touched?
I think it is a mixture of everything. Coming up with the dance is a big challenge; for I never thought I would choreograph again since I stopped dancing years ago.
I will like to thank my wonderful dancers for all their sweetness and commitment to the dance; it has been a very warm and enjoyable experience with them. Also to all involved in the BS Productions ever since the 1st time, for all the chances and memorable friendships and fun given me as we worked together. This has been the best part of my NUS life, and I will cherish it wherever I am. - CYNTHIA
Stage Manager’s Note
This year's production is a huge one, very different from the past years. The involvement of the three arts medium, being merge into a night, would be refreshing to the audience and challenging to the production team. The production required gathering relevant talents, inexperienced or experienced, together for a time of exchanging and sharing. As a member of the production team, I have learned a lot about the whole process of a production.
The theme of the production is very simple, realistic and thought triggering. It's not something absurd or abstract because it's actually in life itself. It may not be obvious but upon second thoughts, it'll strike… - KAILIN
Theatre I/C/ David's Note
Perception... Many perceive Buddhists to be boring, too innocent…
But we are here to prove them wrong! Whether you BELIEVE it or not, this production has truly allowed us to show our "Ah-soh-ness"! So who dares say Buddhism is boring again!
After joining the BS Day theatre production for 3 years, I can say that our bonding this year is the strongest. Never would I forget those dinners we ate together (sorry to those who couldn't eat at the sight of me), those jokes we shared... Remember to find us for kopi! - TONG JOO
Kopi Di's Note
Think it is ironic that the Cultural Group has approached me to play a “more Dharmic character” It could be part of the entertainment, perhaps. Anyway, I feel positive towards this role. Can be a potentially challenging role with lots of inner struggles within him. Not up to me to write on the character anyway… This “Kopi Di” represents the lower income group of our S’pore society. He faces Singaporean problems and basically works them away from his mind. However, gossips and frivolous speeches make his life more complicated when in fact, they are not of his concern at all. He finds a safe shelter in the form of Dharma but as he is not well educated, he prefers to abide strictly to the 5 precepts to maintain his sanity – from the sanity of gossips and problems of this world. The precepts do indeed protect oneself.
I love this character. Thanks for your time. - LEWIS
Lim Soh's Note
This is the first time I have taken part in a BS Day production and i find the whole experience a totally refreshing one, so unlike other productions i have taken part in. To quote an example, in the conceptualization of the script for the play in the production, a collaborative approach was taken in which everyone of us was roped in to brainstorm and come up with the script.
Unlike other productions I have taken part in, in which the scriptwriter, who may or may not be involved with the play, wrote the script. The script that resulted was one that had parts of everyone in it. In the process of working with everyone who’s involved in the production, not only had I made quite a lot of new friends, I also had tons of laughs from the corny jokes that we all cracked. To sum it up, this production was certainly something that I would look back as one of my fondest memory in NUS. - WANZHI
Toa Kah Soh's Note
Being totally new to acting, I find that acting is not as easy as it seems (as TV seems to portray). It really requires much skills and hard work to bring out a character, which is different from oneself. Special thanks to my Director for teaching me several techniques to put myself aside and be in character thoroughly. As this production is based on the Kalama Sutra, I came to realise, surprisingly, that the Buddha’s teachings and our daily activities and speech can be so closely related! As a BS member, I find myself extremely lucky to have a group of great and fun-loving BS friends. They brighten up my life! - ONG QIULIN
Lak Kor's Note
I have been a wanderer all my life, seeking into the unknowns for a meaning that I can live with. Acting in a mime as the role of a mother ghost at 8 marked the start in finding the meaning of passion.
Life is indeed a stage, living in the shadows of your idols, the roles of your enemies and pretending to be someone else but yourself, to explore, experiment and escape. Not content with merely playing with my own lines, I ventured off to another track to experience the process of moulding drama characters.
Circling and seeking, I returned to where I started after endless attempts in defining the meaning of passion. I felt like a clown, settling back to square one when I know deep down in me, I am always someone else. But I would feel more like a fool, if I continue to live in deception to deny myself this passion to be someone else again.
Evilness does not merely exist in criminals or offenders of the law. It can be committed by an unmindful being whose behaviours are upsetting and whose sharp tongue uses hurtful words like weapons. Only the law of karma can reform them for their acts. 6th Aunt is one such typical offender and her imprisonment towards transform for the good will be on her own accord.
I am glad to have found spiritual friends who live with the same passion, to share our ideals in life in the roles we play. From “True Dreams” to “Please take me there, Driver” till the latest contribution “Untruth”, NUSBS Culture Productions have shown the good and evil sides of the characters around us. Such opportunities do not come easy without the right effort from everyone involved in “Untruth”. I sincerely thank ALL for their presence, time, trust and talents in shaping the roles they play, and ALL who have made this entire BS Day possible and ALL who believe in yourselves for making this impossible project remarkable. - YEE LING
Jenny's Note
Like it or not, each of us faces new challenges now and then. Yet the tricky part is not merely dealing with the challenges confronting us ahead. Rather, it is how, amidst these challenges and struggles, we manage to retain the True Self in us. The BS production neatly frames this challenge (not unfamiliar to you and me in real life) onto the stage. I found a piece of "Jenny" (Un-Truth's character) in me, just as I have injected a piece of myself into her. I retorted the anguish in her as a victim of gossip, I bear the silent tears in her as a misunderstood single-parent child. And so I grow.
Add a director full of spontaneous ideas, throw in a bunch of hilarious amateur actors and actresses to a seemingly simple story – and guess what you'd get? Un-believable results, of course.- ZHANGJIN
Mrs Chan's Note
Hi! This is the first time I’m involved in a BS production or a major BS project and it’s also the first time I’m writing something like this. When I was first asked to write this, my mind was running and overflowing with many thoughts and feelings both about the production and also about BS. I’ve joined BS not very long ago and since then, I have learnt a tremendous lot of things which I’ve not known about in many different aspects. Since young, I’ve always wanted to be involved in a theatrical production but I never had the chance to do so. Many a times I was bound by personal and other constrains. When I first saw the “advertisement” for the production, I “debated” with myself if I should go ahead and join. I asked myself if I was up to it and whether I’m making the right choice. Many a times we would not go ahead or attempt to do something we are unsure of or have not tried before because of fear of failing, other’s opinions, some external constrains or excuses we may give ourselves. However, I told myself that if I do not give myself the opportunity to take the first step, try something new and do what I feel for, no one else will. Finally, I decided to go for the auditions and eventually joined the production team. I’m really glad to be given this opportunity to be involved in such a wonderful and meaningful production. I had the opportunity to work with many nice, kind and fun-loving people whom I’ve learnt a lot from. From everyone in the cast and crew, I’ve learnt many things; things related to life and things related to the theatre. Everyone played an important role in the production no matter how small or minimal his role was. Everyone, including you the audience have a part to play in making the whole production a success. =) I had a wonderful time working with all of those in the cast and crew and also those whom had helped in one way or another. I’m very grateful to all my BS friends, especially those whom have helped and gave me guidance. Hope you will all enjoy the production we put up for all of you present tonight as much as we have enjoyed putting up for you. Enjoy! - LIMIN