It’s often said that theatre holds a mirror up to society, and indeed there are few better ways to get acquainted with a city than through a good local production. From decades-old establishments to the newer kids on the block, there are many wonderful companies that tell the stories of Singapore – here are some of them.
1. Wild Rice
Fun, stylish performances that pack a punch
Known for tackling pressing social issues with a sharp wit and a generous dollop of humour, Wild Rice has been building a distinctly local stage presence since artistic director Ivan Heng founded the company in 2000. Its annual season generally comprises a mix of original works and adaptations of classics with a twist.
“Our works celebrate the rich tapestry of Singaporean culture and diversity through presenting the best of local theatre, and in so doing, give audiences a sense of community, pride and belonging,” says Heng.
In 2024, for instance, it will be bringing back local playwright Joel Tan’s adaptation of Molière’s darkly hilarious satire, Tartuffe: The Imposter, after a sold-out run in 2022. Wild Rice also traditionally ends the year with a family-friendly pantomime, featuring a cast of adorable young actors from the company’s training arms.
Catch these shows at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre – located at the trendy Funan Mall, it’s the only thrust stage in Singapore and offers an intimate experience.
Check out their upcoming shows here.
2. Pangdemonium
Polished and inspiring plays with stellar casts
Heartwarming and heart-wrenching in equal measures, Pangdemonium’s shows tend to confront difficult topics about what it means to be human. Over the years, artistic directors Adrian and Tracy Pang have gotten local audiences talking about traditionally taboo themes such as mental health, addiction and dysfunctional families, often through globally acclaimed works.
“Theatre has to put us all under a microscope to be examined and deconstructed so that we can better understand ourselves, and also be a mirror to reflect the very best and worst of humanity and challenge ourselves to change for the better,” says Adrian.
The company’s 2024 productions include Falling, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Dear Evan Hansen. They will be staged at three different venues – Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Kewalram Chanrai (KC) Arts Centre and Victoria Theatre respectively.
Check out their upcoming shows here.
3. Singapore Repertory Theatre
Broadway meets Singapore
While the Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) has produced some notable original works since its inception in 1993, it is best known for bringing renowned plays like God of Carnage and ART, and high-profile global talents like Sir Ian McKellen, Ethan Hawke and Lea Salonga to Singapore’s shores.
“SRT just celebrated 30 years of bringing the magic of theatre to over 100,000 people annually,” says artistic director Gaurav Kripalani. “Theatre, in my perspective, occupies a distinctive role in Singaporean society. Beyond serving as a mirror of our lives, it uniquely provides a profound communal experience.”
Most performances take place at KC Arts Centre, its long-time home at tranquil Robertson Quay. In 2024, the company will stage a triple-bill of one-person plays, each highlighting how humans can thrive in the face of adversity.
Check out their upcoming shows here.
4. The Theatre Practice
A local pioneer of bilingual theatre
With a history dating back to 1965 – the year of Singapore’s independence – The Theatre Practice is the oldest bilingual theatre institution in town. Co-founded by Cultural Medallion recipients the late Kuo Pao Kun and his wife Goh Lay Kuan, it’s now helmed by their daughter Kuo Jian Hong.
“One of the key concepts that Practice champions through our works is how essential play is,” shares Kuo. “Beyond providing much-needed joy and pleasure through the magic of the arts and collective expression, theatre (and play) has the power to challenge long-held assumptions, to open up critical conversations and inspire possibilities.”
Over the years, it has built a repertoire comprising original Chinese musicals like Lao Jiu: The Musical and immersive experiences such as the acclaimed Four Horse Road.
The company continues to push the boundaries of artistic engagement through projects like Practice Tuckshop, an arts space and cafe within The Theatre Practice’s home in the heritage Bras Basah district. There, they host lunch parties and workshops, providing different ways for audiences to participate in the arts.
Check out their upcoming shows here.
5. The Finger Players
Weaving tales with puppet strings
What began as a division that focused on Chinese hand puppets at The Theatre Practice in 1996 blossomed into something much bolder. The Finger Players became an independent company in 1999, to create works that were initially intended for children.
A seismic shift in its artistic direction took place in 2004, when the company started staging productions for adults as well – all while melding various styles of puppetry with other artistic forms. Since then, The Finger Players has gone through several iterations under various leadership.
It’s now led by artistic director Oliver Chong, who carries on the mission “to bring puppetry to the masses, ensuring accessibility without compromising on depth, steering clear of mere cheap and bent-double entertainment.”
Check out their upcoming shows here.
6. Drama Box
Community theatre at its best
At the heart of Drama Box’s mission is a desire to engage in civic dialogue not just with arts lovers, but also those who might not usually set foot inside theatres. They’re thus known for bringing their performances out into the streets and suburbs, with their movable, inflatable stage.
“By shining a spotlight on marginalised narratives and making space for the communal contemplation of complex issues, we seek to tell stories that provoke a deeper understanding of Singapore’s culture, history and identity,” says artistic director Kok Heng Leun. Themes found in past shows include land planning in a small country, and how to prepare loved ones for death.
Drama Box also has a long history of practising forum theatre, where audience members have the power to stop and influence the events the actors are enacting. As you can imagine, they make for some truly engaging experiences.
Check out their upcoming shows here.
7. Teater Ekamatra
Champions of minority voices
Teater Ekamatra has deep roots in the Malay theatre scene. Over the last 35 years, it has presented works that centre ethnic minority voices as in their exploration of universal themes such as love, grief and identity.
“In a country where many conversations are seemingly too difficult to navigate, theatre is a powerful medium to not only have that conversation but also eke out space for imagining and futuring life differently,” says artistic director Shaza Ishak. “We do this to continue pushing for more voices to be included in the national and international narrative.”
As part of these efforts, Ekamatra provides a platform for aspiring playwrights to learn from industry veterans, and thus acts as an important incubator for experimental new works.
Check out their upcoming shows here.
8. The Necessary Stage
Plays that shine light on the underrepresented
Founded in 1987, The Necessary Stage has presented over 100 plays that often spotlight marginalised, oppressed, or overlooked members of society. It’s helmed by Cultural Medallion recipients, director Alvin Tan and playwright Haresh Sharma, and the plays tend to feel intimate and deeply personal.
“Our philosophy is to create works that explore the relationships between tradition with modernity, with a degree of self-awareness that potentially inspires us to become better versions of ourselves,” says Tan.
On top of its main season, The Necessary Stage is also behind the annual M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, with the next one happening from 17–28 January 2024 at the Esplanade Theatre Studio and other locations.
Check out their upcoming shows here.
9. Checkpoint Theatre
Making space for our nearest and dearest
Audiences at Checkpoint Theatre’s shows can expect to get drawn into a series of tender relationship dramas in beautiful and poignant ways. Some of its most celebrated original works explore the love between – and challenges faced by – friends, lovers, parents and their children.
“Theatre brings people together. It reflects our human experiences – our innermost hopes, fears and dreams – and fosters a sense of empathy and understanding,” shares associate artistic director and playwright Faith Ng. “These stories become an integral part of our cultural fabric.”
Its 2024 season sees the launch of three new pieces, including Secondary: The Musical written and composed by local musician weish, Playing with Fire by Cheyenne Alexandria Phillips and Hard Mode by Ng.
Check out their upcoming shows here.
10. Andsoforth
A feast for the eyes and the stomach
As one of the first companies in Singapore to experiment with the theatrical dining format, Andsoforth builds fantastical worlds that invite visitors to leave reality behind – all while enjoying a specially curated menu to fit the theme.
“Andsoforth’s philosophy centres on ‘fun dining’, a unique fusion of gastronomic innovation and interactive engagement,” says co-founder Emily Png. “We are dedicated to weaving compelling narratives, ensuring each dining adventure is not just a meal, but a captivating, fun-filled journey that resonates with a wide audience.”
Past productions include The Imaginarium of Disco David, where one segment took place within a ball pit, and Around the World in 80 Days, which brought guests on a whirlwind tour involving dining in a train carriage. While the next adventure has yet to be announced, its immersive dining experience featuring a six-course omakase menu, Absurdities, is ongoing at a secret location that’s revealed to participants 24 hours before its commencement.
Find out more about Andsoforth here.
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