I’m not quite sure how to describe Dive – it’s a play with two central characters in a relationship, that is played by four actors. As the story progresses, different actors take on the role of the central characters at different time periods, such that all four actors will have played the role of each character multiple times. Each actor will also have been paired with every other actor at least once, playing different permutations of the central couple.
In addition, it’s performed in a rather intimate setting – with the audience sitting in a rectangle that encloses the performance area (which is the size of a room), with three rows of seats at most. The audience is less than a few metres away from the cast all the time.
But most importantly, it’s a rather painful but sorrowful look at how abuse can escalate in a relationship, and its consequences. Having witnessed domestic abuse firsthand, I can vouch for the authenticity – and impactful depiction of the topic.
Synopsis
Dive is a play that centres around a couple’s relationship. It chronicles the journey of their relationship from its inception, through its stormy periods, then to its conclusion and beyond, and is portrayed by four actors. IMDA has rated it Advisory 16.
Director: Sim Yan Ying (YY)
Writer: Laura Hayes
Cast:
- Irsyad Dawood
- Jean Ng
- Ebi Shankara
- Ellison Tan
Raw, heartfelt emotions
Given that the story centres around the relationships, sitting only a few metres away from the cast lends an intimacy to the performance that would otherwise be impossible to replicate in larger shows. Emotions are tense, bursting out of the cast with unfiltered pain and depth, and are heightened by the aforementioned proximity to the cast. Even though different actors take on the role of the characters at different times, they each bring their own spin on the hurt that each character feels.
In a way, this echoes the pain of being in a domestic abuse situation – an everpresent fear that is coloured by the context in which the abuse appears (or threatens to appear). It’s as raw and authentic as they come, and I can’t imagine the emotional toil it takes to be one of the cast. Kudos to the performers in this show for their work on these roles. It’s damn intense.
An intriguing presentation
Admittedly, my theatre experiences have not been the most diverse, so my voice may not be the most representative on this. But it’s a novel experience. The presentation of the story, with different actors taking on the parts of the two central characters at different times, prevents you from identifying the characters by appearance (the two characters are also unnamed and ungendered through the play). Instead, you have to identify the characters by their emotions, their mannerisms, their spirit – if it’s possible to do that – which each actor has to channel. This, coupled with the intimate delivery, made it a rather unique show that reflects the true creativity of theatre (Singapore theatre, no less!).
The tragic deterioration of a relationship
Perhaps what makes the story resonate so much is that the relationship doesn’t take a drastic turn after one or two key events (which would be the traditional way of depicting such stories). It’s the slow chipping away of patience, the gradual erosion of love, the death by a thousand cuts that results in the events of the story. And doesn’t that mirror real life? When relationships (romantic or otherwise) begin to falter? In this respect, the show reminds me of Scenes from a Marriage, in how the descent of the relationship unfolds.
Ambiguity allows you to project yourself into the different characters
As mentioned, the characters are never named, never gendered, never identified in traditional ways. We learn what they do – spoiler, one of them is a diver – and their careers, their family situations, their context. But beyond their personality and mannerisms and spirit, we’re not provided with personal information on them. This allows you to put yourself in their shoes more easily, to identify with and project yourself into them, making the story more immersive.
Ambiguity is also challenging story-wise
Alas, the ambiguity can also make it challenging to identify the characters, especially at the beginning of the performance (when we’re still getting to know them). While this ambiguity may be intentional (one can argue that it isn’t critical to know which character is the one professing their love when all is well), it also requires some modicum of mental labour to follow. Towards the end of the story, several key scenes all but give away the gender of the two characters, which was a curious decision to me – why not leave it unsaid to the end? Then again, Dive isn’t a traditional theatre show, so perhaps a less traditional form of storytelling is more suitable for the subject matter.
Should you watch it?
Dive brings you up close and personal into the relationship of a couple – in every literal sense of the word. It’s hard to find shows that give you this level of intimacy into the interactions of a couple, and Dive‘s razor sharp focus on this is what amplifies the heartfelt emotions from the characters. It may not be the easiest to follow, but then again, Dive is exactly the type of show for intense theatregoers (you know who you are!).
Score: 6.9/10
Dive runs from 5 September to 22 September.
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