新加坡华语小剧场 ：以电力站（1990－2002年）为例 = Chinese language little theatre in Singapore : a case study of the Substation (1990-2002)

Abstract

“The Substation – A Home for the Arts” is Singapore first multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural arts centre. Founded by local theatre director, playwright Kuo Pao Kun in 1990, The Substation owned the first Black Box Theater in Singapore, and organised the “Raw Theatre season”, which propelled the growth of local Little Theatre (a mandarin term coined to describe small-scaled productions, usually with experimental or avant-garde nature), and even the whole development of local theatre. During the 90s, most Chinese Language Little Theatre were staged at The Substation, the rest was performed at non-theatrical space, for instance outdoors.

This thesis sets the boundary of discourse between 1990-2002, as 1990 is founding year of The Substation, and 2002 marked the opening of Esplanade – Theatre at the Bay, and the death of Kuo Pao Kun. This thesis aims to discuss the “Raw Theatre season”, other Chinese Language Little Theatre staged at The Substation, and how The Substation as an arts centre influenced the development of local Chinese Language Little Theatre during this period.