Open Homes – Journey to the South

Open Homes is a wonderful initiative and collaboration between Jeffrey Tan from Singapore and South Australia’s No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability and is one of the highlights of this year’s Oz-Asia Festival. As the program notes state, ‘Behind every door of every home, there are stories that might never be told. Open Homes is a chance to hear them. Featuring personal and moving accounts from everyday people, audiences are invited into the home of strangers to hear their stories.’ There are six Open Homes performances, each one hour long, in various homes throughout Adelaide and the surrounding region, including Noarlunga, Athelstone, Aldinga, Golden Grove, and Klemzig. I was fortunate to see ‘Journey to the South’ in Aldinga, not far from where I live, in the local community ‘Eco-Village’.

Our generous hosts were a couple from Singapore – Ee Ling and Francis Tan. We started in their commercial kitchen at ‘Lot 8’ in the ‘Eco-Village’ and were given cups of delicious date-tea. We then heard the story of why and how they had set up this commercial kitchen – to serve Singaporean food and meals to the local community. We then heard about the creation of this kitchen, full of amusing tales about meeting Tao-Buddhist auspicious dates and about several favourite Singapore dishes that they serve. Having lived in Singapore for several years this had me salivating in fond memory of Singapore’s truly fabulous food and cuisine. We then were taken to the family home and heard their story, their ‘Journey to the South’, from Singapore to Aldinga, South Australia. We were privileged to see old family photographs from their time in the Singapore ‘kapongs’ and how this bred in them a strong sense of community, coming south to Adelaide in the spirit of their Chinese ancestors who centuries earlier had travelled south to Singapore, and eventually finding a similar sense of ‘community’ in this ‘Eco-Village’ in Aldinga, South Australia. Throughout this entire heart-warming personal story Ee Ling and Francis Tan were warm, welcoming, open, insightful, and often very funny. It was a truly delightful experience, finishing with us all being offered a slice of a Singaporean-Peranakan cake – it was delicious.

The measure of a good theatrical experience may vary; it can appeal to the head and/or the heart. In this case, because it is so deeply personal, it appeals to the heart and is profoundly moving. It is an inspirational tale of strength, bravery, commitment, and community. I can only thank Ee Ling and Francis for generously inviting us into their home and being so brave as to reveal their personal story; and to Jeffrey Tan, No Strings Attached, and Oz-Asia for producing this extraordinary piece of theatre. Jeffrey Tan is a very special person and theatre artist; it takes a very special person to persuade and give ordinary people such confidence to reveal their personal story as well as invite complete strangers into their home. Truly remarkable. I left this unique theatre experience feeling uplifted and inspired by this celebration of humanity. It is a beautiful as well as humbling experience.

I thoroughly recommend ‘Journey to the South’ and intend to see others in this series of Open Homes and can only encourage others to go and support this remarkable initiative and experience. You will not be disappointed. Thank you, Jeffrey Tan, No Strings Attached, Oz-Asia, and, of course, Ee Ling and Francis Tan – you have a new customer in me – can’t wait to get some genuine Singapore Noodles.

Tony Knight

24 October 2021