Everything but the Brain

Everything but the Brain is a tragicomedy by Singaporean local writer Jean Tay. The work revolves around two main characters: Elaine Lim, a Science physics teacher, and her father Lim Chong Boon, a former professor ridden with health problems (stroke). Originally developed at the Playwrights' Cove at The Necessary Stage in 2001, Everything but the Brain was first performed in 2005. The play won Best Original Script (for Tay) and Best Actor (for Gerald Chew as the father) at The Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards 2006[1] and was published in book form by Epigram Books in 2010.[2] In 2014, the play was selected by the Ministry of Education (Singapore) as a recommended 'O' and 'N' level literature text.[3]

Characters

Plot

36-year-old Physics teacher Elaine Lim attempts to reverse time using the Theory of Relativity in order to save her dying father, 66-year-old Lim Chong Boon, regarded as a genius in Physics and now a retired professor. Recalling a childhood moment told to her by her father, Elaine theorises that she can stop the effects of his recent transient ischemic attack by taking him on a train travelling close to light's speed. At the hospital during her father's check-up, she gets attracted to the neurologist in charge, 27-year-old Dr. Samuel Chen, and their relationship strengthens over a few more visits.

Elaine takes a year-long leave from school. Chong Boon suffers a more serious stroke while recovering from his first mild attack, and becomes more paralysed. Elaine reminisces her childhood years, when her obsessive-compulsive Malaysian mother was still alive. With not much time left to spare, Elaine decides to treasure every moment with her father, becoming his personal, round-the-clock nurse.

Just as Samuel and Elaine's relationship become romantic, she finds out that he was actually her former student. Samuel awkwardly leaves and shortly after, Chong Boon suffers his third and final stroke. Per her father's wishes, Elaine lays his body to rest, but retains his brain as a sentimental item.

Performance history

Everything but the Brain was first performed in 2005 under the helm of Krishen Jit. In 2010, Samantha Scott-Blackhall revisited the play and in 2013, Derrick Chew directed the third remake of the play.[4] Everything but the Brain was also staged in 2012 in London by the UCL Singapore Society[5] and in Nottingham by the University of Nottingham's Singapore Society.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Death and Einstein's theory of relativity in Everything But The Brain". The Business Times. August 4, 2013. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  2. "Everything but the Brain". Epigram Books. Epigram Books. 2010. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  3. "2065 Literature in English O Level (2014)" (PDF). Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board. Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 July 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  4. "Everything but The Brain needs more heart". The Straits Times. August 14, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  5. "Everything but the Brain by Jean Tay". Off West End. Off West End. 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  6. "SingSoc Production: Everything but the Brain". University of Nottingham Students' Union. University of Nottingham Students' Union. 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
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