(Hidden) In the Screen

Synopsis

A sterile, modern office space bathed in the cold glow of screens. Two East Asian figures move robotically through their daily routines, their inner lives a stark contrast to their outward conformity.

Ordinary (Oriental) Boy and Ordinary (Oriental) Girl, trapped in the monotony of office life, navigate a world where their identities are constantly shaped and distorted by the screens surrounding them. As they perform repetitive tasks, their inner thoughts – voiced through poetic monologues – reveal a rich tapestry of cultural conflict, historical trauma, and suppressed individuality.

Daniel York Loh’s play is a powerful exploration of cultural identity in the digital age. Through a series of vignettes divided into four sections, the play delves into the complexities of being East Asian in a Western-dominated society. York employs a unique structure, blending the characters’ mundane actions with recorded voices that express their deepest thoughts and fears. This juxtaposition highlights the disconnect between their outward conformity and their rich inner lives, touching on themes of assimilation, stereotyping, and the legacy of colonialism. As the characters inch closer to genuine connection, the play offers a poignant commentary on the isolating nature of modern technology and the struggle to maintain one’s cultural heritage in a globalised world.