WHITE SOLILOQUY 白言 by Toy Factory

“Too Little Said“

Reviewer: Gabriel Lim
Performance: 20 September 2015

My only recollection of a 96-year-old man is his appearance in Mediacorp’s annual Star Awards, sitting in as a guest of honor. This man has a frail frame and a wrinkled face, and there appears to be a story hidden underneath.

His name is Bai Yan.

Toy Factory’s restaging of White Soliloquy (its first iteration directed by Jalyn Han in 2010 won Nelson Chia his first Life Theatre Award for Best Actor) is a tribute to pioneers that shaped the theatrical/entertainment industries over the decades. It offers a glimpse into the life of Bai Yan, an actor who devoted much of his life to local theatrical, and became a legend in his own right. This is a heartfelt story of passion and tells the struggle of an actor who starts out in a Chinese dance troupe in China. He then travels across Asian countries, forming his own troupe and eventually settling in Singapore.

Acting as Bai Yan is the man of the show – Timothy Wan. He is a young, multi-talented rising actor that can sing, dance and act. It is a bonus point that he can also converse fluently in different dialects. His role is no doubt demanding, juggling between singing and movement. At times, he slips and drops lines but he does not let it affect him. Wan pulls off this hour-long monologue with convincing ease. White Soliloquy proves to be his strongest performance yet. He is definitely one to look out for in future productions.

It is a pity that this performance rushes through all the major moments in Bai Yan’s life, and leaves little space for the more emotive side of him. It is simply too short and provides only very short glimpses of his life. Its hurriedness eschews intimacy and fails to connect with the audience. I feel that there needs to be greater focus on his wife Ye Qin as an important person in his life.

While it is great to see Director Goh Boon Teck’s bold approach towards the restaging of Toy Factory’s better-known productions, this production is disappointing. The white paper ships that fill up the well-tailored stage can only go so far to please. The audience expects and indeed demands more than just the surface of his story.