‘Grounded’: Oon Shu An’s One-Woman Show Will Keep You On The Edge Of Your Seat

What comes to mind when you think of a fighter pilot? If it’s a dashing young man in aviator shades a la Tom Cruise in Top Gun, then Singapore Theatre Company (STC) is subverting just that by bringing George Brant’s award-winning monologue Grounded to the stage.

Directed by Renee Yeong and starring Oon Shu An, Grounded tells the story of an unnamed fighter pilot in the US Air Force who undergoes a dramatic life change due to an unexpected pregnancy. From commanding the skies in a fighter jet to facing a screen and operating a fighter drone remotely from a windowless trailer out in the desert, she is confronted by the stark reality of her new role and must grapple with an inner awakening when faced with a difficult decision. 

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Of timely relevance, the play delves into the complexities of modern warfare, women’s ambition and their navigation of motherhood, which Oon brilliantly delivers in her olive pilot suit throughout the performance. Another constant is a closed-off stage space—reduced to a cockpit cocoon and a pilot chair—that collapses the distance between Oon and the audience, allowing the actor to naturally convey and exert control over her actions and emotions.

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Grounded marks Oon’s return to the STC stage following her performance in Lungs (2021) and kicks off STC’s triple bill of one-person plays, each exploring a different aspect of human existence and resilience in the face of adversity. 

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Grounded runs till March 23 at KC Arts Centre. Tickets are available here.