Psychobitch

SYNOPSIS

Anya Samuel: Over-achieving journalist.
Level of Excellence: Perpetual.
Level of Chill: NIL.

When her tech CEO fiancé accuses her of being “too emotional” and tasks her to explain the four times she has cried in public since they started dating, Anya cannot help but bring her A-game.

As she prepares to deliver a slide deck to save her relationship, complete with animated infographics of her menstrual cycle, Anya is forced to confront harsh truths about who she really is and what she actually wants in clearer light. Will her life remain a relentless exercise of proving herself in all arenas, including grappling with the expectations of her pastor father? What will it take for Anya to truly come to know her worth?

Written with dark wit and searing insight by Amanda Chong, Psychobitch boldly dissects gender power dynamics while exploring the subtle shades of toxic relationships. Directed by Pam Oei, this thought-provoking one-woman show starring Sindhura Kalidas challenges us to examine the concessions we make in our search for love and the secrets we keep in order to live.

Psychobitch was developed under the mentorship of Haresh Sharma as part of The Necessary Stage’s developmental playwriting programme, Playwrights Cove 2022.

PRODUCTION DETAILS

Singapore: Wild Rice @ Funan, 3-20 Aug 2023
Duration: approx. 90 mins (with no intermission)
IMDA Advisory 16 (Some Mature Content and Coarse Language)

Cast: Sindhura Kalidas
Playwright: Amanda Chong
Director: Pam Oei
Dramaturg: Alfian Sa’at
Set & Multimedia Designer: Elizabeth Mak
Lighting Designer: Adrian Tan
Costume Designer: Max Tan
Sound Designer: weish
Prop Master: Joyce Gan
Hair Designer: Ashley Lim
Make-Up Designer: Bobbie Ng
Stage Manager: Xu Xin’en

Producer: Wild Rice
Download: Programme Booklet
Photography: Ruey Loon for Wild Rice

PRAISE

2023 STRAITS TIMES LIFE THEATRE AWARDS BEST ORIGINAL SCRIPT, BEST ACTRESS & BEST DIRECTOR NOMINEE

2023 BAKCHORMEEBOY AWARDS BEST NEW SCRIPT, BEST ACTRESS & BEST MULTIMEDIA NOMINEE

“★★★★★ Exemplary in both its script and performance, there is an infallible, even inspirational sense of confidence that emanates from this production, from both an emerging playwright and an actress who has navigated all the subtleties, mess, joy and complexity of being a woman.” — Bakchormeeboy

“Chong’s script is a well-crafted one-two punch that follows up crowd-pleasing jokes with quieter, emotional scenes of Anya’s family.” — The Straits Times

“Chong's script is at once hilarious and heartbreaking, starting sitcom-like as the frenetic Anya seeks to analyse each milestone in her relationship and gradually growing darker as her scars begin to surface. Nothing is left uncovered, from toxic masculinity and racial microaggressions to detailed infographics about her menstrual cycle. Peeling back the complexities of gender, race, religion and family, it's a strident celebration of what it means to be a modern woman and achieve emotional fulfilment.” — Naeem Kapadia

“Watching [Psychobitch] with a friend who has seen me through many teary days felt cathartic. And it was even more personally relatable having been premised on a fellow Tamil Singaporean woman.” — Laili Abdeen