It is Singapore, 10 years from now.

First the floods came, followed by a prolonged period of drought and contamination to our water supply. There is a shortage of clean water and an energy crunch. Water has become a controlled good, persistent power outages are disrupting the lives of Singaporeans, and there are strains in the social order.

In times of crisis, how should we organise and distribute limited resources? Who do we trust, and what do we expect from ourselves, our community and the government? How do we communicate, understand and collaborate across different perspectives, concerns and needs?

This forum theatre play challenges students to reflect on their own values and priorities, while considering perspectives that may differ from their own. There is no model answer and no prescribed ways to deal with the problem. Instead, through dialogue, discussion and exchange, students get to devise new strategies, test out different possibilities and explore what it means to participate and take action in the world around them.

Wouldn't It Be Nice? was first produced in 2012 by Drama Box for IPS Prism: An Immersive Arts Experience, presented by Institute of Policy Studies of the National University of Singapore.

Original script by Kok Heng Leun

Adapted and directed by Han Xuemei

Learning Objectives

Categories: Character Development & Citizenship

• Explore issues related to civic responsibility.

• Develop a greater appreciation for competing priorities and challenges faced in decision-making and policy formation.

• Consider multiple perspectives and communicate effectively.

• Encourage critical thinking and analytical skills.

What to Expect

In forum theatre, the play ends on a cliffhanger, with issues unresolved. Instead of just watching in the audience seat, audience members gets to take on the role of “spect-actors”, replacing characters onstage to try out strategies and influence the outcome of the play.