From Clinic to Black Box: After Rain, We Breathe Turns Pain Into Physical Theatre

A new physical theatre production, After Rain, We Breathe, will be staged on 9 and 10 January 2026 at Black Box, Waterloo Street, bringing together physiotherapy, pain science and performance in an interdisciplinary collaboration.

Presented by Grain Performance & Research Lab, the work is written and directed by theatre practitioner Beverly Yuen, who also performs in the production. The piece was inspired by Yuen’s personal experience of injury and rehabilitation after fully tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial cruciate ligament (MCL).

The project traces its origins to August 2024, when Yuen began physiotherapy for persistent knee stiffness and mobility issues. During treatment, her physiotherapist, Wendy Ng — an APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Curtin University PhD candidate — suggested exploring pain as a creative subject. The idea later developed into a full-length theatrical work.

After Rain, We Breathe centres on Alice, a woman navigating life after injury. Through physical theatre, the production explores pain as emotional, physical and unseen, examining how the body responds to trauma, resistance and gradual healing. The work incorporates scientific concepts such as pain perception and rehabilitation, blending them with movement-based storytelling.

Ng joins the production as Consultant in Pain Science and Embodied Movement. She described the collaboration as an example of the biopsychosocial approach to pain, which recognises the interaction between physical, psychological and social factors in recovery.

The cast includes Damien Ng, Elaine Siow, Kaelen Ong, Matthew Martin and Tan Yong Hong, who perform multiple roles representing patients in recovery, inner voices, memories and bodily resistance.

According to Grain Performance & Research Lab, the production aims to reflect the realities of injury recovery, including setbacks, pauses and small triumphs, rather than presenting healing as a linear process.

After Rain, We Breathe will be performed on 9 January 2026 at 8.00pm, and on 10 January 2026 at 2.30pm and 7.00pm. Tickets are priced at $20 and are available through SISTIC. The performances are eligible for the SG Culture Pass.

Grain Performance & Research Lab is a not-for-profit physical theatre collective led by Yuen. The group focuses on creating cross-disciplinary works that merge arts, science and embodied practice, with ticket proceeds supporting the training and development of its performers.

Director/Playwright: Beverly Yuen

Performers: Damien Ng, Elaine Siow, Kaelen Ong, Matthew Martin, Tan Yong Hong, Beverly Yuen

Event Dates & Times

8 Jan 2026, 8:00 PM (Preview)

9 Jan 2026, 8:00 PM (Opening)

10 Jan 2026, 2:30 PM

10 Jan 2026, 7:00 PM

 Venue: Black Box, 42 Waterloo Street

(2nd Floor — no lift access)

Tickets (Sg Culture Pass eligible): SISTIC https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/lite_rain0126