Off Centre

Off Centre is The Necessary Stage’s landmark play in the history of Singapore theatre. First staged to great acclaim, it is best remembered for bringing mental illness and its patients’ plight to the attention of the media and the general public. Over the years, Off Centre has been adapted into an experimental feature film, a television movie, and has been performed in the UK and Kuala Lumpur. It is part of the Singaporean canon of literary works and was the first Singapore play to be included in the GCE 'O' Levels literature syllabus. The play employs techniques such as flashbacks and character shifts, exploring the experiences of its protagonists, Vinod and Saloma. It has been recognized for its impact and has been selected as a GCE ‘O’ Level literature text, also being republished with resource notes, introductions, and forewords. The play is considered a significant milestone in Singapore theatre, addressing complex themes and challenging audiences.