Review: THISability (Revolution Stage, 2016)

Revolution Stage students proudly pull through in Arshad Adam’s sincere contemplation on parenting and letting go.

A mother raises a special child on her own. She thinks she’s found happiness, but ghosts from the past resurface. Can she keep her son safe? Revolution Stage‘s Projek Bilik Sempit series continues with Arshad Adam‘s directorial debut and fourth play. This story of a single mother’s struggle in raising a child somewhere on the autism spectrum unfolds with strong emotion; dramatic with an old-fashioned twist, it offers its actors opportunity to scale thrilling heights. Arshad’s loose direction provides a cinematic take — Western pop underline numerous transitions as fade outs take priority over blackouts. THISability also doubles as coursework for those enrolled in Revolution Stage’s 10th Anniversary Acting Workshop, though reservations over its young cast dissipate once they get into position, committed and energetic. The resulting spectacle is one that has the ability to genuinely touch. But for all its present merits, THISability promises much more to be gleamed from further polishing of its text and execution.

THISability runs from 25 – 28 February and 3 – 6 March under Revolution Stage’s Projek Bilik Sempit. All shows take place in Studio RS, 5-11, Dataran Pelangi Utama, One Avenue, Jalan Masjid, PJU 6A, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.  Tickets are priced at RM15 and can be obtained via Ika ().