One-woman play in Penang Hokkien discusses gender roles, marriage pressure

Who gets the better deal in marriage? Director Wong Lay Chin (left) and actress Amelia Tan address the idea about "two becoming one" when a man and woman marry. Photo: The Star/Dinesh Kumar Maganathan

Theatre director/playwright Wong Lay Chin was a curious little girl when she was growing up in a close-knit community in George Town, Penang.

There was always enough neighbourhood gossip to go around and Wong, a silent listener, used to huddle close to the older women when they talked about a certain couple’s quarrel here or a family dispute there. She was strangely fascinated by these stories of marital blues and familial troubles.