Under One Roof explores family bonds, sacrifices across generations

Acclaimed playwright and director Fa Abdul will premiere her latest theatre production, Under One Roof, at Auditorium A, Komtar, Penang, from June 26 to 28, offering audiences an intimate exploration of family relationships, sacrifice and the emotional legacies passed between generations.

Presented by Big Nose Productions with support from the Penang State Government, the production centres on a modern Malaysian Indian household and examines how years of silence, duty and unresolved tensions can shape the lives of parents and children alike.

At the heart of the story is Mala, a single mother who spent decades raising her children after leaving a marriage affected by infidelity. As she grows older, she is forced to confront the impact of her choices and how they are remembered by her family.

The play follows the perspectives of her children — eldest son Prabhu, daughter Priya and youngest son Pravin — as well as the return of Prasad, the father who once left the family behind. Through their interactions, the production explores themes of guilt, responsibility, love, resentment and forgiveness.

“As a single mother, I’ve lived with the guilt of choosing my own happiness over my children’s idea of a perfect childhood. Under One Roof is inspired by that journey,” said Fa.

While rooted in the experiences of a Malaysian Indian family, Fa said the story’s themes extend beyond cultural boundaries.

“At its heart, Under One Roof is about the distance between the choices parents make and the way their children remember them,” she said.

Cast draws from personal family experiences

According to Fa, many of the production’s emotional truths emerged during rehearsals, when cast members began sharing their own experiences of family life.

“I didn’t cast them based on their backgrounds or how closely they related to the story. But somewhere in the rehearsal room, through discussion and exploration, I realised they all had their own experiences with family, their own quiet struggles,” she said.

The cast includes Monica Mohan as Mala, Nicholas Muniandy Fletcher as Prasad, Suresh Ramskay as Prabhu, Lauren Tan as Eileen, Arunen T. as Pravin and Tasnim Hasina as Priya.

Fa said conversations during rehearsals often extended beyond performance preparation and became reflections on the families that shaped each cast member.

“It reminded me that family is probably the most universal thing we all carry. The details may differ, but the emotions rarely do,” she said.

Performed primarily in English with selected Tamil dialogue, the production aims to reflect the cultural and emotional rhythms of the household it portrays.

Each performance will be followed by a post-show dialogue session featuring the cast and writer-director, allowing audiences to discuss the themes raised in the play and share their own perspectives on family relationships.

Under One Roof is recommended for audiences aged 13 and above. Tickets are available online at bit.ly/under_one_roof.