Hurstville - An immersive experience.

THE BELLBOY
A face of welcome and warmth, but underneath lies a nervous jitter for the one who sets his heart a-flutter. Will his earnestness solder both their hearts together? The clock ticks.

ABOUT THE ACTOR
*ding!* Should your face express concern or worry, just like the bellboy, Ian Pereira comes forth with a helping hand and a serving heart. Ian is always watching the space and its people, always ready to jump in to help even without you asking. Apart from being incredibly supportive and listening, his playfulness makes him a delight to be around, and a net of safety to risk in.

DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

Hurstville has been blessed with unsung heroes. In fact, Hurstville is built (also literally) by them. One of whom is Yunn Ee. The architect of Hurstville. Yunn Ee is a special story for us.

Many of you do not know this, with less than 2 months to the first show, we still had no venue to host Hurtville in.

Less than 2 months. We had no venue.

Let alone us not having built the staging.

It is common to go "we need a physical space before we can design how the bakery/apothecary etc look like" in a situation like this. But when Yunn Ee got invited by us to be our architect, when she knew about our circumstances, she was unafraid of failing because she was SO occupied with being committed to deliver.

As architect, she wasn't just responsible for designing the space, she was also responsible for pulling in Katie our contractor to ensure that her vision in her head becomes reality.

"Can. This is what you will need."
"Can. But you need to set your expectations."
"Can. Just need to find a way."

With Yunn Ee, her commitment was so thick and unwavering that when she says "cannot", we know that it is a legitimate impossibility and not an unbelieving convenient avoidance of challenge.

She is a good friend, but more than that, she is a lover of people, and a believer of excellence.

Her knees have touched the grounds of Hurstville as she cut up and applied glue on the wallpaper to stick up in the Innkeeper's room. Like Katie, she isn't afraid of hard work and working outside her scope. She was always worried about us because there was SO MUCH to build up for staging. "I hope you got people helping you to build this...", and she took up the tools herself to help.

Yunn Ee isn't focused on delivering her work, but focused on lifting the team of Hurstville up on her shoulders.

Yunn Ee would go down on her knees, so that we could stand on her to reach the fruits.

And today, as we are in the middle of an entertainment ban and paying back our stakeholders with any monies we may possibly have with every paycheck that comes in, we texted excitedly to Yunn Ee asking her for her bank details.

Her reply? "Please don't pay me, accept my love and well wishes. I didn't do very much. Use it for your own expenses."

Those of you who are reading and thinking that this is about money, you are missing the learning point completely. So reread.

This is about a common human being, with uncommon love, humility and commitment.

Thank you Yunn Ee. We stand on your belief, we stand on your literal works. With you, we stand for the society.

UNSUNG - Not celebrated or praised

Today's post recognises one whose work is tangibly felt and seen the minute you step into Hurstville. Yet the process of building it with her team was seen by less than a handful.

Our contractor led by .

Her work with her team was nothing short of miraculous as they built an entire set of 4 storeys within a week because of the short lead time the organisers had.

Katie never once uttered a sound of complaint. She's one who will pick up the mop and clean the floor together with her team of foreign workers who also follows her lead of humility and service. She was there for us ready to fix anything even until the very day before show began.

One of the very telling signs of her humility and service, was when she texted us one early morning a photo of one of the fake bricks that we were building for a wall. She had taken the liberty to continue churning out more of it on her own when she saw how shorthanded we were whilst we were still in bed from barely getting enough rest.

As I'm typing this, I already feel the tears welling up even though this happened a couple of months ago.

Love is in demonstration.
Love is powerful.
Love doesn't recognise the concept of time.

Katie has been an exemplary model of leadership in service, love, and most of all, humility. Never afraid to do the dirty work, never complaining.

Once, I made a terrible mistake by locking up the costumes in a room that Katie and team ALREADY built partitions over. I was so apologetic and guilty because there was already very little time left for her to complete the work. But she was so assuring and said "Don't worry! To me, it's just a problem. Then just need to find solution." During this Circuit Breaker, the finances for Hurstville came to a standstill. In our outreach to our stakeholders for help, Hoong Thye has also supported us greatly with our financial arrangement with them. We couldnt be more grateful for their grace.

It only opens our hearts to follow suit in our service to those around us. We are truly thankful.

During this Circuit Breaker (or different lockdowns and quarantines that you may be experiencing if you are living outside of Singapore), we understand that there are times of prolonged mental blocks, boredom, frustration, and even possible experiences of loneliness, stress, and anxiety. To tide through this period together with you, The Inside Space (the root company behind Hurstville: The Heir) is offering complimentary coaching for both personal and professional development through our temporary Live Chat system installed just for you.

Behind the scenes, we have over 20 trained facilitators, as well as a few of our actors who are also trained in critical thinking, from different professions and backgrounds out of which, one will be assigned to you, depending on what you would want to speak to them about. Drop them a chat whenever, wherever. Doesn’t have to be anything serious.

Come and say hi. Be it a short 2 min chat, a 15 min companionship, or a 30minute coaching session. We are here, on the line (be it battleline or online) with you.

https://www.undergroundsg.com/ontheline

With the recent news from the authorities regarding the shutting down of all bars, cinemas, theatre and entertainment outlets from 26th of March, Hurstville will comply and the remaining 9 shows in April will be cancelled.

Hurstville never started with the goal of being a theatre production. Hurstville started, because in our world that was growing in its culture of repression, we desperately needed authenticity, care and love in our society. With the rise in depression, anxiety, stress, and suicides, we needed to overturn this culture more than ever before. Hurstville started because of the very reason that people matter. Every single life mattered.
Being very human, we are sad to part with the entire team for a few weeks as we exercise social distancing. However, more than that, the cast and team at Hurstville recognise an urgent need to address outside of the production in this break.

This month’s break opens up doors for those at Hurstville to go out into the real world, to put panic in its place, to banish fear, to crush all seemingly legitimate ways of defense. (For those who have attended the show, this month's break is in short, for us to not let the "apothecaries" of our fellowmen's minds have a seat at the table).

For the cast, crew, and audience who have watched the show, we didn't get to experience Hurstville for Hurstville. Hurstville was meant for the world in need right now. Look around you, this is Hurstville in real life. This is Hurstville being put to the test. This is not just a performance. Our act goes out into the world outside of 265 South Bridge Road, to overturn the culture of repression to redemption.

With that, we are beyond excited, for what this month has in store, and what Hurstville will be when we return.


➕ To those who came for our shows in March, everything you have seen in the show, is happening in real life now. Struggles with control, insecurity, doubt and fear, of being in the “safe” zone of not stepping up. It just takes one person to interrupt and turn it into one of redemption. Let that one, be you.


➕To those who bought tickets for April’s shows, you should have heard from us already, another email will be sent forth soon regarding what is next.


➕To those who would still like to buy tickets, our new dates are not firm as we are ironing out logistical details, but please still drop us a note, we will open up ticket sales very soon.
Our shows will not be the same when Hurstville returns, in fact, you should be wary if our shows are the same, for it will only signify complacency and a lack of growth in our cast and crew. When Hurstville returns after the month's break, our cast and crew would have challenged themselves and the society, and served those around them on levels that they have not gone before. So we await with bated breaths, to watch together with you how much more powerful the show is going to be, as this seemingly titanic ordeal is used to sharpen every single one of us as people.

Take a time out from the hustle, and come through the rustling brambles into the village of Hurstville. Enter another world... or is it not?

Thank you Time Out Singapore for the feature!

Hurstville: The Heir takes over a shophouse in Chinatown to create an immersive theatrical experience Taking a leaf out of a wildly famous theatrical experience from New York.

As featured in City Nomads, the village of Hurstville awaits.

5 Things To Do In Singapore This Week: 24th February 2020 To 1st March 2020 - City Nomads We admit it - getting through this month has been more difficult than we anticipated it to be. On the flip side, we have a multitude of events coming up to ease our mind - from the return of Garden Beats to a rooftop reggae party with mouth-watering Jamaican food. Escape reality by whisking yourself...

⛪THE CHAPLAIN
With an entire village to manage, he ensures order. He runs the law... or is he, the law?

⛪ABOUT THE ACTOR
Edward Foo has a bag overflowing with confidence and acting competencies. He is quick to pick up things and quick to execute. Yet it wasn't because of that, which got us to cast him. Edward is a passionate man who encourages others, regardless of whether they are stronger or weaker than him in techniques. The creative team behind Hurstville have no theatre background, but that has never stopped Edward from trusting the process and contribute to the audience the second the show begins. Unlike many out there who use their talents for the puffing of their chests, Edward has used his competencies for the betterment of others. He takes whatever you throw at him, and he runs with it. He has never complained, only committed.

⛪DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

👩‍🎨THE SINGLE MOTHER
Thrown into a new place with the burden of two daughters to take care of, will it be more important for her to upkeep the image of righteousness, or stand for the freedom of her family?

👩‍🎨ABOUT THE ACTOR
Independent and creative. Behind Rachel Braberry's stable front, lies an inquisitive spirit of wonder and play. She's also one to never take things for granted, Rachel was the only one who was late for audition AND came to apologize to us after the session. "I am sorry I was late, not going to explain because there's no excuse for it." She continued to ask if she could help us keep the furniture back in place. She taught us the crucial lesson about how it isn't the mistakes that break a person, but what is done after the mistakes are committed, that makes a person.

👩‍🎨DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

👩‍🎨COSTUMES
Costume of the Single Mother is generously sponsored by .sg

💐THE APOTHECARY
Doors always opened, for those in need of love, of attention, of care. However, are all opened doors of welcome, entrances to wisdom, or woe?

💐ABOUT THE ACTOR
This is Jane Chia. Do not mess with Jane. Jane say what, you do what. Jane say "SHHHH!!!", you shhh. Jane is fluent in a certain category of Hokkien. Jane scary. But Jane very loving. And Jane no nonsense. Jane good. That's why we cast Jane as bad person, because her love trumps any evil she needs to portray.

💐DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

💐COSTUMES
Costume of the Apothecary is generously sponsored by .sg

More than a theatre experience, more than entertainment.
An urgent social message for us as a society to hear. Will you take a risk and enter Hurstville to hear what's necessary and possibly uncomfortable?

Thank you Alvinology Media for the feature!

Underground’s new immersive theatre experience has an urgent social message for audience members – learn more here Expectations upon expectations weighing us down. A constant push to earn more money to afford to live in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Perhaps it really is as the saying goes:

Our very first theatre friend Bakchormee Bakchormeeboy. The first who believed not in the idea, but in us, in our vision. Way before others did.

Thank you for the feature, Richard. More than that, thank you for believing and for reminding us to not be apologetic about demanding for higher standards.

The Banter: An Interview with Sheena Ling and Dyllis Teo, Co-Directors of Hurstville – The Heir Oftentimes, immersive experiences are centred around pure entertainment, whether as Instagram museums, or sprawling, exploratory works taking audiences to out of this world realms. Rarely though, h…

Hurstville: The Heir has been shortlisted as one of the top events in March 2020 to attend at visitsingapore.com!

Thank you Singapore Tourism Board for your feature :) Passion indeed made possible.

Top events in March 2020 Visiting Singapore this March? Here’s a snapshot of the awesome events taking place across the city.

🍞THE BAKER
Guilt-ridden over a grave mistake made years ago. As he clambers to feed on the deceptive temporal calm from cover-ups of reasonings and justifications, will the Baker finally find redemption in honesty and truth?

🍞ABOUT THE ACTOR
"I am Malay, I am blond, I am male. You see my face. People see me also immediately become guarded." Shaiful Risan rattles on about how it is instinctive for people to avoid him. Little do many people not know, that Shai has kindness so vast. Whether you are in need or not, Shai will always be on the look out of how else he can be of service to you. He is brotherly when you need a shoulder, he is fatherly when you need strength. Shai offers all of us the crucial lesson of how we will miss the gifts in people when we solely decide who they are based on the image seen.

P.S. Shai also has a gift to see past one's image. So if you are not authentic, he can tell. The bad news is, he doesn't buy into fakery, so don't try to be someone else other than yourself around Shai. The good news is, you can always be safely and fully authentic around Shai (though when that happens, get ready for really bad dad-jokes from him).

🍞DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

🤦‍♀️THE MAD WOMAN
Is it an utterance of malarkey or a stutter of wisdom only she can see? A spirit battered and silenced through the years. A mind lost. Or has it?

🤦‍♀️ABOUT THE ACTOR
In the development of Hurstville, in our bleakest moments when we were desperately short of manpower, Rachel Chin stepped forward and up to be Assistant Director for the show. JUgGlInG a full time job, other freelance acts, and Hurstville, Rachel's unafraid to work hard. She never once complained, her eyes only focused on wanting the very best for the production and its people. With late nights and missed dinners because of rehearsals that she has to lead, she's never one to receive for herself because it's always about others to give to. So Rach, this is a personal message from us to you. Thank you for holding a pillar of the fort so important as we run off to douse the fires. Without your usual plans, your usual boundaries, we know it drives you crazy (you ARE the Mad Woman). Yet, it is that insane love that is carrying, and will carry us all til the very end.

🤦‍♀️DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

🤦‍♀️COSTUMES
Costume of the Mad Woman is generously sponsored by .sg

Read all about it! Into mainstream media, a few of our villagers have shown their faces. Fortune to those who will enter Hurstville for the discovery of more. The Straits Times

Breaking barriers in play Leadership trainer Sheena Ling has watched popular New York City immersive theatre production Sleep No More six times and was intrigued by its ability to break barriers among people.. Read more at straitstimes.com.

THE INNKEEPER
Even the wisest has her weak spot. When the enemy attacks those closest to her heart, perhaps the wisest albeit counterintuitive move to take, is to allow those that she has been loving and protecting, to do the same for her.

ABOUT THE ACTOR
Alike the character she plays, Christina Wang is truly a person who never fails to look out for the well-being of others. In our endless nights and long days of bringing herculean Hurstville to fruition, Christina does not go "eat well", she prepares us food that nourishes our body. Christina does not go "you shouldn't be staying here, this place smells so musty", she places charcoal around the space to give us better air to breathe. In her quiet acts of kindness behind the scenes, she's an unassuming, unconditional pillar of strength and gentleness.

DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

COSTUMES
Costume of the The Innkeeper is generously sponsored by Vintage1961.sg Vintage1961

💃THE YOUNGER DAUGHTER
A life of freedom in the seemingly not-so-distant past. As the chains of conformity begin to wrap themselves around a gifting that seems irrelevant and useless, will Hurstville rob the innocence and youth from the Younger Daughter?

💃ABOUT THE ACTOR
Beatrix Tay, a feisty chilli padi bursting with passion that is weightily anchored by wisdom beyond her years. Her audacity to believe in bold visions and dreams is closely accompanied by the willingness to give everything she has to walk the entire journey out. Though a first for her in acting, her heart so full of belief in others has raised her to be a teacher of trust and conviction to the rest of the cast, regardless of how experienced they are.

💃DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

💃COSTUMES
Costume of the Younger Daughter is generously sponsored by .sg

🙆‍♀️THE OLDER DAUGHTER
Eyes sharp, mind perceptive. Every kink that the system is covering up escapes her not. Will she escape the prison of status quo that she's been so forcefully thrown into?

🙆‍♀️ABOUT THE ACTOR
Val Teh. She's bloody hilarious. Expect raw authenticity, spontaneity. Val does not care if you look unlike what the society expects you to be, she only cares that you have the freedom to be true. A powerful ray of light banishing society's darkness of doubt.

P.S. Val also damn heng with parking lots. She will always get one. So if you are going out to a mall on a weekend, call Val. Ask her park your car for you.

🙆‍♀️DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

🙆‍♀️COSTUMES
Costume of the Older Daughter is generously sponsored by .sg

🍸THE SERVER
A quiet help, a whisper of rhythm. Never witholding for others, but a hesitating giver for himself.

🍸ABOUT THE ACTOR
Wayne Lim has a heart that sees possibilities before our eyes see its fruition. Always a "yes", always a "can", Wayne never fails to stand by you in your boldest ambitions even in the midst of doubts and fear. An anchor of safety in the raging seas of uncertainty.

🍸DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

✂️THE TAILOR
The deafening silence of the village outcast cries out through the field of loneliness... will anyone hear it?

✂️ABOUT THE ACTOR
Ed Lim's not your great-at-acting-tecniques actor. However, because of his high level of humility and willingness, Ed's turned out to be one of our fastest learners in our cast. In his unassuming humble presence, he has been a gentle wind engulfing the cast in his quiet giving of trust.

✂️DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

✂️DID YOU ALSO KNOW?
We cast not based on competency, but based on the heart of the person? For a competent yet prideful actor's standards are limited by his self-righteousness, but the one with a humble heart absorbs and grows quicker than the former. And, one's also obviously easier to work with. ;)

🍞THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER
When life comes to a rolling boil, will she take the risk to pull two seemingly conflicting situations together in a bid to follow her calling? Will her voice rise up above the noise of conformity?

🍞ABOUT THE ACTOR
With a compassion so deep, Miao Wen was cast as the Baker's Daughter because of her ability to acutely empathise with the people around her. A patient heart to the broken, an iron will against nonsense. On another note, don't ask Miao Wen how to sweep the floor, she only knows how to vacuum.

🍞DID YOU KNOW?
The script of Hurstville was intentionally written halfway through before casting of actors? Upon further interviews of confirmed actors, we then met them one on one to sieve out the wisdom they personally hold from their life experiences. These wisdom and learnings that are authentic to them are then recrafted and adapted into the character they have been chosen for.

So when you come in, the characters are fictional, but the lessons and wisdom the characters bring, are authentic and true.

🍞COSTUMES
Costume of Baker's Daughter is generously sponsored by .sg