#SHOWBIZ: Sofia Jane makes solo stage debut

Sofia Jane has built a screen career spanning more than three decades, taking on roles that demand emotional depth, restraint and an instinctive grasp of human behaviour.

The 54-year-old actress will step into unfamiliar territory with a new challenge: carrying a play entirely on her own, with nothing between her and the audience except for her natural talent.

Her first solo theatrical performance in English, 'Thrown', is far more than just another acting job.

Written by Jodi Gray and directed by Gavin Yap, the production delves into childhood, buried memories and the experiences that shape us long after we think we have left them behind.

At its centre is a child psychologist whose efforts to understand her patients gradually lead her into unsettling territory.

Listening to old audio recordings of her childhood alongside those of her patients, she begins to question where her memories end and someone else's begin.

The premise immediately appealed to Sofia, who sees its themes as particularly timely in a world increasingly aware of mental health and the lasting impact of childhood.

"When I read it, I thought it was very interesting because we are living in a world where mental health challenges affect not just adults but people of all ages, from children to the elderly," she shares.

It is a story that asks uncomfortable questions without offering easy answers. How much of our adult selves is shaped by experiences we barely remember?

Can we trust our memories, especially when they have been revisited, reinterpreted or coloured by the stories of others?

For Sofia, the challenge lies in bringing those questions to life through a single character whose professional understanding of the mind cannot shield her from the doubts of her own past.

ONE ACTRESS, ONE STAGE

Taking on a solo show means there is nowhere to hide. Without fellow actors to share the dramatic weight, Sofia must hold the audience's attention while shifting between the psychologist's professional world and the increasingly blurred landscape of her memories.

"Everything is a challenge," she admits, describing the demands of carrying a performance alone.

Yet the prospect is also a chance to rediscover an art form she has long cherished. Although film and television have defined much of her career, theatre has always held a special pull, waiting for the right role and timing to align.

"Being on stage is something I always look forward to because it has a different energy," she says.

"It feels like starting all over again."

That sense of renewal is fitting for an actress with such an enduring body of work.

Sofia also stresses the importance of choosing material carefully, noting: "A good actor wants a good script. So they will look at who the writer is."

Her decision to take on 'Thrown' reflects that belief. Beyond the demands of a solo piece, the play offers a chance to explore a psychologically complex character and work with Yap for the first time.

For the director, Sofia brings the strength and stage presence needed to anchor the production.

Yap, whose previous stage work includes 'Pewaris', 'Fork It' and 'Eurydice', has often explored themes of memory, grief, inheritance and loss.

He sees the idea of being "thrown" into life as central to the play. Nobody chooses the circumstances of their birth or the environment in which they grow up.

Yet, at certain moments, life pushes us into a new phase and the shift from childhood to adulthood can leave a lasting mark.

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THEATRE IN THE AGE OF SCROLLING

Beyond the play itself, Sofia hopes 'Thrown' will remind audiences why theatre is worth experiencing at a time when entertainment is available at the tap of a screen.

For her, the difference is not merely between watching a show at home and seeing one in person. Theatre demands presence.

Audiences must sit together, listen, watch and let a story unfold without the option of scrolling past a difficult moment or hitting pause when their attention wanders.

She believes contemporary theatre continues to evolve through inventive lighting, music and sound, while traditional forms such as Bangsawan, Mak Yong and Indian classical dance remain vital parts of the wider performing arts scene.

Still, keeping the art form alive means facing practical hurdles. Ticket prices can be a barrier and producers need audiences willing to make time for a night out at the theatre.

Sofia believes the exchange between performers and the audience is what makes live performance unique.

A play might stir an uncomfortable memory, spark a fresh perspective or simply leave someone thinking differently about a familiar experience.

"People often linger after a theatre performance," she explains, describing how audiences stay behind to swap thoughts about what they have seen and how it made them feel.

That conversation, she suggests, is part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

Theatre does not end when the house lights come up; its meaning continues to unfold as people talk about what struck a chord with them.

For 'Thrown', an immersive soundscape is designed to pull audiences into the same disorientation felt by the lead character, blurring the line between memory and identity.

Presented by the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre (JCPAC) and produced by Superbear Productions, 'Thrown' runs at The Studio, JCPAC, in Sunway City from Nov 20 to 22 and Nov 27 to 29, with evening shows at 8.30pm and selected matinees at 3pm.

For Sofia, the invitation is simple: put aside your distractions, sit in the dark and give the story your full attention.

What emerges may be unsettling, moving or unexpectedly familiar — but the experience belongs to the moment, shared between the performer and everyone watching.