By Asia Samachar | Singapore |
A play commissioned for the Singapore Fringe Festival 2026 is challenging entrenched ideas about disability in theatre by casting an actress with Down syndrome in a role that deliberately defies expectations.
Invisible stars Jaspreet Kaur Sekhon, 46, as an affluent and demanding hotel guest — a character typically reserved for non-disabled performers. Rather than centring her disability, the production positions Sekhon as a narrative driver, confronting prejudice through authority and presence, reported The Straits Times.
Written by playwright Haresh Sharma, Invisible is set in a hotel where a young disabled woman begins work as a cleaner. The play explores the idea of “invisible disabilities”, including dyslexia and diabetes, broadening conventional definitions of disability beyond physical markers. Sharma said the creative choice was intentional, asking why disability should limit the range of roles an actor can inhabit.
The 75-minute production runs from Jan 21 to 25 at the Esplanade Theatre Studio as part of the Singapore Fringe Festival 2026. It is a collaboration between theatre company The Necessary Stage, which organises the festival, and non-profit arts organisation ART.
SEE ALSO: Balbir Singh: Advocating support for people with Down Syndrome
ART:DIS head of performing arts Peter Sau told The Straits Times that the production demonstrates how disabled performers can embody roles of power rather than being confined to infantilised portrayals. He added that accessibility measures, such as embedded narration for blind audiences, could serve as a model for other theatres.
Actress Dalifah Shahril, who appears alongside Sekhon, said the latter’s discipline and preparation raised standards across the cast. As Sharma noted, “Ghettoising disability does society a disservice — at some point, we have all needed help.”
In 2022, Jaspreet landed the Goh Chok Tong (GCT) Enable Awards for her dedication and longstanding commitment towards realising inclusion in the community and society.
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Down syndrome in the Asian community (Asia Samachar, 10 April 2018)
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