Candles enhanced the ambience as the audience watched two 20-minute drama performances on July 6, 13 and 20 while enjoying a four-course dinner.
That was the setting of the Kings and I programme organised by the Youth of Saint Anthony (YSA).
The different performances over the three evenings portrayed kings from the Old Testament, from well-known ones like David and Saul, to lesser known ones such as Hezekiah, and a Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar.
Each performance presented a different moral lesson for the audience. For example, the Children’s Liturgy Ministry’s portrayal of King Solomon highlighted his gift of wisdom and how he ultimately fell prey to promiscuity and idolatry.
The 30 to 40 guests who attended on different nights – ranging from the parents of the actors to members of the various ministries and other parishioners – were given reflection sheets and encouraged to share their thoughts with one another after each performance.
For example, after the play on King Solomon, guests were encouraged to reflect on what they would ask for if God granted them what they desired.
Mervyn and his wife, Janice, a catechumen from the RCIA, said the play prompted them to reflect deeper on its message. “What we’ll do is to go back and read more about the kings in the Bible,” shared one of them.
“I understand that we should believe more in God and less in our pride,” shared another guest, Mr Marchiano Walean.
The Kings and I programme was held in conjunction with the parish’s Bible Sunday month. The programme aimed to “bring about a greater awareness of the Kings in the Old Testament and at the same time showcase the capabilities of the youth”, said Ms Carlyn Tan, 25, the host for the first evening.
This is the fourth year that the parish has organised the programme.
According to the organisers, different teams from the youth ministries and Confirmation 1 catechism classes produced the plays after doing research on the king they wanted to portray. The teens wrote the scripts and directed the show all on their own.
Costumes for the kings were also specially designed with different colours depicting specific character traits.
The young people said they found working together on the productions an invaluable experience.
Markus Chin, 13, said he learnt a lot about the value of team work. He might find it difficult to achieve something on his own, but with a group of friends, it is possible, he said.
By Andrew Chng
