“Own Time Own Target”, a triple-bill of plays on the National Service (NS) experience in Singapore, concluded its brief run at the Esplanade two Sundays ago.  Performed by what is quickly becoming Singapore’s most exciting and innovative theatre group, Wild Rice, “Own Time Own Target” was a refreshing take on the theme of NS that was perhaps last seriously addressed way back in 1987 by Michael Chiang’s evergreen “Army Daze”.

That is rather surprising, given the preponderance of NS in the public consciousness.  Furthermore, past works - whether in theatre, film or literature - while blatantly poking fun at NS, have tended to muffle its rough edges, preferring to dwell on themes of inter-racial solidarity, class equity and nation-building instead of raising serious questions.  They seemed motivated to help the wider public understand the NS experience rather than reflect on it, as if the institution of NS was somehow sacrosanct and above questioning.  

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