Kemas | Show Introduction

We begin in a housing estate: Salma is the new neighbour, who lives with a husband that’s either absent or always arguing with her when present. Then, there is Arah, who thinks her mother favours her brother and blames her for the way their lives are now. Finally, we have Juminah, who dwells on her past as her present is too lonely to bear—she holds on to the memories of her first love, the happiest days of her life.

The walls between the flats are too thin and everyone is always listening to one another. How do you keep what happened behind closed doors private? How do you pretend not to know when you have heard too much? How do you love your neighbours when you know every little dirty secret that they try to keep hidden?

In Malay, kemas means tidy or neat—organised, well-placed, well-managed. This work explores the myriad meanings of kemas through the stories of these three women, Salma, Arah and Juminah.

Kemas is  written  by  Moli  Mohter  and inspired  by  her  experience  and  interactions  with neighbours of her estate. The script was first read at Cipta Cita 2022 to a closed-door audience, made up of writers, theatre makers, producers from the local theatre and entertainment scene. The script’s development is also  under  the  advice  and  consultation  of Atin Amat, the artistic director of local  theatre  company. Teater KAMi.

Teater KAMi is proud to take on the role of producer for this staging, and to work once again with Esplanade after several years on this commissioned work.

Show Details

• Kemas
• Date: 17 - 19 Feb 2023
• Time: 3pm | 8pm
• Venue: Esplanade Theatre Studio
• Address: 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981

Ticketing Information

• Tickets available on Esplanade
• Price: Standard: $35 | Students, NSFs, Seniors & PWDs (Limited): $28
• Admission Age: 6 and above.
• Language: Malay
• Surtitle Language: English

Information Source: Esplanade