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machadamia's review
challenging
funny
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Feeling a bit of a mixed bag here. It's a great play to read during election season to sort of get a good grasp of what Singaporeans generally feel but since it should be one that is timely, it doesn't age well. I think it was a good snapshot of the time and I found it interesting that it was formed based on interviews with real life people.
michelleful's review against another edition
4.0
A play showcasing different Singaporeans' opinions about the electoral climate in Singapore. I thought a good range was displayed and many of the opinions I found familiar. I find it kind of funny that the three most incisive and, from a vantage point of nine years on, prescient pieces were from two people, one a civil servant (the one who really loves the East Side) and one an ex-civil servant (who talked about structural barriers to change). Despite criticising how the government is set up to promote many of the same type of people and becoming prone to stale groupthink, I feel like they as insiders had the best grasp on how the system works and what will happen next, or what needs to happen next.
dustyduck's review against another edition
4.0
Charming, touching yet real , it's an concise cross-section of Singaporean society and the various groups you'll see. Politicized- yes, (but hey, this is an Alfian book) but it's relatable in a way that'll make you question large narratives and empathize with the small ones.
weehoursreads's review
4.0
"Because there's this deep hunger
To be part of the political process
To register your voice
To speak up and be counted.
And it's a hunger that
Bread and butter
Will not satisfy."
▪︎
Fun(?) fact: Public servants must not blog, post, or publish their political opinions. So there's really no need to assume an individual is apathetic about politics simply because nothing appears on his/ her Facebook or IG stories and posts. According to Gov.sg, 'the day before Polling Day is known as Cooling-Off Day. There is a prohibition against election campaigning during this 24-hour period to give voters some time to reflect rationally on issues before voting.' It seems that we're observing Cooling-Off Day quite literally on this rainy Thursday.
▪︎
'Cooling-Off Day' by Alfian Sa'at is based on interviews conducted by the playwright in the months leading up to the 2011 General Elections and in the months after. A thought-provoking play, it effectively captures different perspectives from both sides - the governing party and the opposition - and runs the gamut from the jaded to the fervent and everything in between. A must-read for every concerned citizen and voter. 4.3 stars.
To be part of the political process
To register your voice
To speak up and be counted.
And it's a hunger that
Bread and butter
Will not satisfy."
▪︎
Fun(?) fact: Public servants must not blog, post, or publish their political opinions. So there's really no need to assume an individual is apathetic about politics simply because nothing appears on his/ her Facebook or IG stories and posts. According to Gov.sg, 'the day before Polling Day is known as Cooling-Off Day. There is a prohibition against election campaigning during this 24-hour period to give voters some time to reflect rationally on issues before voting.' It seems that we're observing Cooling-Off Day quite literally on this rainy Thursday.
▪︎
'Cooling-Off Day' by Alfian Sa'at is based on interviews conducted by the playwright in the months leading up to the 2011 General Elections and in the months after. A thought-provoking play, it effectively captures different perspectives from both sides - the governing party and the opposition - and runs the gamut from the jaded to the fervent and everything in between. A must-read for every concerned citizen and voter. 4.3 stars.
gracefully's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
4.5
I remember watching this play back in 2012, which became quite a formative experience for my teenage self in terms of thinking about local politics. Many of the critiques infused into the script are still relevant in Singapore’s political climate today.
_emjd's review
5.0
the anthro major in me who loves hearing other people's stories geeked out the whole time. the best part was hearing the individual voices, accents, and languages in my head as i devoured the play while surrounded by these the people of Singapore on the MRT. i've never been interested much in Singaporean politics because i've found it so boring (the same people always win anyway), especially compared to the exponentially more 'exciting' things happening politically across the Causeway. this makes me look forward so much to voting for the first time in 2021. ubah.
renaesense's review
5.0
To win our votes, they appeal to our rationality and our emotions.
Recently it seems like the latter gets more attention. And it shouldn't.
Politics does not exist as an isolated episode in time. It has real consequences. It affects our personal narratives regardless of whether you understand politics or not.
But our experiences are often overshadowed by numbers and percentages.
That's where this play comes in. It presents relatable anecdotes from people of a range of backgrounds. Individual narratives woven into the tapestry that is our nation's history.
Recently it seems like the latter gets more attention. And it shouldn't.
Politics does not exist as an isolated episode in time. It has real consequences. It affects our personal narratives regardless of whether you understand politics or not.
But our experiences are often overshadowed by numbers and percentages.
That's where this play comes in. It presents relatable anecdotes from people of a range of backgrounds. Individual narratives woven into the tapestry that is our nation's history.
aliciatay88's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nonfirqtion's review
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0