By Uday Duggal

In 2010, Adrian and Tracie Pang established their very own theatre company, and, of course, named it ‘Pangdemonium!’. The exceptional combination of Tracie at the helm directing and Adrian acting meant that the company’s success came as a shock to few.

In the years to come, Pangdemonium raked in numerous awards and won acclaim for productions like ‘Spring Awakening’, ‘Dealer’s Choice’, ‘Next To Normal’ and ‘Frozen’ (no, not that one). Pangdemonium’s highly anticipated first show of the 2015 season, ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’, opens on the 29th of January. Mothership.sg got the chance to ask Adrian a few questions before the big day.

1. Pangdemonium's website tells us, tantalisingly, that 'Circle Mirror Transformation' is about "... four imperfect strangers join an Acting Class run by “earth mother” Marty…resulting in epic episodes of comedy, and drama of theatrical proportions". Sounds like fun. But why this play, and, why now? 

Adrian: The moment we read the script for Circle Mirror Transformation, we fell in love with it. It’s a bloody good play with brilliant dialogue, wonderfully drawn characters, astute and sensitive observations of human behaviour, sensitive insights into interpersonal relationships, all executed with lots of humour, heart and humanity - it’s a very unique comedy with many delightful surprises and poignant moments that will creep up on you when you least expect it. And with its themes of change and growth, this play is the perfect way for everyone to start the new year with - especially since we are into SG50, this story has some valuable lessons for all of us to learn from.

2. Looking at the cast, we're being treated to a combination of amazing theatre veterans (including yourself, Neo Swee Lin and Daniel Jenkins) alongside some fresher faces like Selma Alkaff, who's making her professional debut in the production. Could you tell us about the casting process, and how everyone got on board?

A: A major part of Pangdemonium’s mission is to provide platforms for new, young talents to showcase their talents, as well as to work with individuals you don’t see much of on stage but we feel need to be seen more. As with all of our productions, we held auditions for all the roles: we have been wanting to work with Swee Lin forever, so we invited her to come in to read some scenes from the play with us (with no assumptions on either side) just to see if she would be right for the role of "earth mother” Marty, and we were delighted that our suspicions were spot on - she’s perfect for the role! Dan Jenkins is an actor we always want to work with because he’s so versatile and great to work with and when we got him to read opposite Swee Lin, we found that their dynamic as an onstage couple was absolutely right, so we were only too glad to offer him the role of James.

And for the role of the 16-year-old Lauren, we made it a point to hold open auditions and quite a few young ladies came to read for us - some in their 20’s and already working professionally in the industry, some still in school but have always loved theatre, plus a bunch from LaSalle and School of the Arts (SOTA). SOTA is producing some really promising performers with a great work ethic and enthusiasm, but Selma (above, left) just brought her A game to her audition and stole the role - she is truly talented and smart, and this being her professional debut is a perfect platform for her to shine. We are very, very excited about this cast!

3. We're looking forward to some hilarious scenes featuring acting classes. We had to ask; any horror stories (or fond memories) from prior acting lessons or auditions? 

A: Acting classes are always perfect situations for everything from absurdity to the sublime, and this play very cleverly demonstrates that, while subtly exposing human frailties and flaws. I’ve been in an acting class where we’ve watched a person take half an hour to silently “die”, where it’s been so emotional that every single person is in floods of tears by the end. On the other hand, I’ve been in a class where we are all lying on the ground being “at one” with each other and the ether, only for the serenity to be broken by a distinctly dulcet tone of baked beans-induced flatulence. In an acting class, people fight, people fall in love, people change...Anything can happen, and in this play, everything will!

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4. We noticed (and are getting excited about) the two Pangdemonium productions to follow 'Circle Mirror Transformation': 'Tribes' and 'Chinglish'. We've also noticed that all three are mentioned as being a part of Pangdemonium's 'Transformation Trilogy'. Tell us more about this Trilogy, and what links the three productions?

A: All three plays in our 2015 “Transformation Trilogy” are connected by the themes of Change. 'Circle Mirror' follows the exploits of five lost souls in an acting class, each one seeking some kind of change in their lives, and in way both minute and profound, they are all transformed by the end.

In 'Tribes' a deaf young man has been brought up by his family to not feel "abnormal", but ironically he has grown up feeling like an outsider in his own family and isolated from the world. He falls in love with a young woman who is herself going deaf, and she teaches him sign language, and for the first time in his life, he beileves that he has a voice and he desperately wants to be heard. And what he has to say will not only change his life, but the love of everyone he loves.

In 'Chinglish', an American businessman with a shady past attempts to re-invent himself by striking a business deal with the Chinese government, leading to farcical levels of miscommunication, political intrigue and sexual shenanigans.

All three stories examine individuals who are in some state of limbo, emotionally and mentally wounded from their past, and looking to find a way to move on with their lives with a New Beginning. This takes tremendous courage and strength of will. While the nation fusses over SG50 celebrations, these three plays remind us that the most meaningful way to mark this milestone year if to look towards the future with a daring and willingness to change.

5. Adrian, you've played Hamlet, you've played Macbeth... you've demonstrated incredible range and versatility over the years. Is there a role out there that you feel you haven't done yet, something you'd like to try?

A: There will always be roles I wish I could play, but might never get the chance or might be totally wrong for. My take on it is, if it's scary, the more I want to do it. I want to avoid taking on roles that feel comfortable to me. If I read a play and see a role that makes me go: "I have no bloody clue where to even start with this role", then I will actively pursue it. I'm very blessed that Pangdemonium has given me opportunities to take on a variety of roles totally out of my comfort zone, pushed me and stretched me. By doing that, I've learned so much as an actor and as a person. Very humbling and life-affirming at the same time. So that being said, I do wish I had the chance to play LADY Macbeth. Seriously.

6.  You've had a fair few brushes with local censors, such as with your work in 'Porn Masala' (a segment from the movie 'Sex.Violence.FamilyValues'). Any thoughts on the extent of censorship in the arts scene at present, and where do you see things heading in the years to come?

A: It kind of makes me giggle and groan - if I'm in a relatively good mood. But yes it can also be frustrating at times. That said, things have loosened up significantly over the past ten, twenty years. I do believe that a truly well-written script and/or and well-executed play/film that has something to say, has integrity, needs to be seen by people, and should be able to stand on its own merits without being touched by censors, and we should respect audiences enough to expect that they have the maturity and common sense to watch it without engaging petty, narrow-minded bitching. That would be in an ideal world. But we don't live in an ideal world. So we do what we can - make the system work for you ;)

7. Pangdemonium's put up and adapted a great, diverse selection of plays and musicals from around the world, but we can't help but wonder; any thoughts about putting up an original, Pang-penned production?

A: It's all being plotted as we speak...

Check out Circle Mirror Transformation's trailer:

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Circle Mirror Transformation runs from today till Feb. 15, 2015. Get your tickets here. 

All photos from Pangdemonium.

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