Mandala

Bought tickets to 'Mandala' presented by In Source Theatre. We understood that physical theatre piece involved a performer drawing a 3-metre wide mandala (a spiritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism representing the Universe) with rice across the stage, symbolizing the cycle of life, and the urban human's search for fulfillment and meaning.

Aside from that, we didn't know what to expect. We weren't expecting anything either. Read something about the portrayal of Carl Jung's of 'Self' and 'individuation', which weren't unexpected, since he wrote a whole chapter on symbolism where the mandala is a "template of the mind". Walked into the darkened space with an open mind.

Didn't know what was staged earlier in 2003 and other cities. In this October 2014 production helmed by founder Beverly Yuen and new artistic director Jacklyn Kuah, we certainly didn't think it as too abstract. As long as it isn't a show where people dance-sing their lines throughout, we're pretty much cool with it. Physical theatre is just another form of contemporary storytelling that isn't overly strict on the dance but considers the narrative of the whole movement.

Sirfan Sulaimi was in charge of drawing that mandala. Didn't know if there were markers on the floor, but he drew a really good circle on his first broadstroke to outline the whole piece. That was impressive. Three not-unknown actors Eng Kai Er, Shana Yap and Sonia Quek took the stage, depicting mortals from childhood to adults caught in the rat race, and finally old age and a time of reflection. Bernice Lee, as choreographer advisor, also joined the performers at the side, lending vocals and movement, as though she was Time, whirling and twirling for an hour, moving through the decades implacably as humans experience their cycle of life. Loved the ending that suggested cleansing of the mind and soul, the eventual shedding of earthly desires and worldly concerns, possibly a re-birth and purity. Dunno about achieving enlightenment.

As the show drew to a close amidst this feeling of reflection among the audience, the man leaned over and whispered, "All the rice grains. Sudden craving. Let's have Teochew porridge for dinner." LOL. Yeah, we did.