“Comfort” is a fictional retelling inspired by the multiple harrowing stories of Filipino “comfort women” 鈥� young girls who were captured and forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. While much of global wartime history focuses on battlefield heroics and political shifts, “Comfort” sheds light on a chapter often left in the shadows: the personal, painful and courageous experiences of women whose stories have been silenced for decades.
Written by Giannine Tan and directed by Elisabeth Tu, “Comfort” is set against the backdrop of one of the darkest periods in Philippine history. The play delves into the lives of young Filipinas caught in the unforgiving tides of war. Through a poignant blend of narrative, memory, and imagination, the production honors the strength, resilience, and humanity of these women. It explores what it means to survive the unimaginable 鈥� and the long journey toward reclaiming one鈥檚 voice.
This educational production goes beyond historical retelling. It is a reflection on the intergenerational impact of trauma, the silences passed down through families and communities, and the importance of breaking those silences to heal and move forward. While the subject matter is sobering, “Comfort” also makes space for tenderness, humor, and hope 鈥� capturing the full complexity of the human spirit in times of crisis.
Audiences are invited to bear witness to a story that is both deeply personal and historically significant. As the characters attempt to speak their truth and reclaim their agency, “Comfort” invites viewers to learn with them, laugh with them and grieve with them. It is a call to remember, a call to reflect and a call to never forget.
At its core, “Comfort” is not just a story about war. It is a story about the greys in war, survival, dignity, and the urgent need to confront the past in order to shape a more just future. In retelling these stories, the production challenges us to confront the horrors of war 鈥� not only in its violence, but in the generations of lives forever altered in its wake.
“Comfort” will be performed as part of the 2025 Camden Fringe Festival from August 19 to 22 at 3:00 PM daily at the Etcetera Theatre, located in Camden Town, London.
Join us in this vital act of remembrance and resistance.
For any enquiries, please contact Giannine Tan through comfort.ww2play@gmail.com
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