From 7 February 2020 THE NGEE ANN KONGSI THEATRE, WILD RICE @ FUNAN
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From 7 February 2020 THE NGEE ANN KONGSI THEATRE, WILD RICE @ FUNAN
SYNOPSIS
Two romeos bend the truth to spice up their love PROLOGUE
lives. Jack has invented a brother, Ernest, whom he
uses to escape his dull country life and to woo the Allegro from Sonatina No. 1,
ravishing Gwendolyn. His best friend, Algernon, Op 48 – I. Pleyel
also decides to take the name ‘Ernest’ to cosy up to Gavotte from Suite in D – J.S. Bach
Jack’s beautiful ward, Cecily, in the country. But Air from Suite in D – J.S. Bach
things spin hilariously out of control when their Presto from String Quartet No. 1,
deceptions are discovered, threatening to spoil their Op 1 – J. Haydn
romantic pursuits. Allegro from Divertimento K. 136
– W.A. Mozart
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is
one of the world’s most popular comedies, boasting ACT 1
some of the funniest lines in the English language.
In WILD RICE’s award-winning production, Algernon Moncrieff’s flat in
celebrated theatre and film director Glen Goei puts Half-Moon Street, London
a joyous spin on this comic masterpiece by casting
an all-male ensemble – revealing fresh insights into INTERVAL
this classic tale about courtship, hidden identities
and the foibles of high society. Garden Music – Minuet and
Trio – L. Boccherini
With a sensational international cast, dressed to
the nines by renowned fashion doyen Frederick Lee
and accompanied live by The Concordia Quartet,
ACT 2
The Importance of Being Earnest promises to lift
The Garden at Manor House, Woolton
your spirits with an evening of sparkling wit,
Cello Solo – Prelude from
laughter and love.
Suite No. 1 for Violoncello – J.S. Bach
IMDA Rating: Advisory (All Male Cast) ACT 3
Drawing Room at the Manor
House,Woolton
A BRIEF PRODUCTION HISTORY
After two successful runs in 2009 and 2013,
The Importance of Being Earnest was invited
to Macao Arts Festival in 2014 and Brisbane
Festival in 2015. It was the winner of three ST
Life! Theatre Awards in 2010: Production of
the Year, Best Supporting Actor (Chua Enlai)
and Best Costume Design (Frederick Lee).
MESSAGE FROM FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to WILD RICE @ Funan, and the very first show of our 20th-anniversary season! In this landmark year for our company, we are proud to bring you an exciting and eclectic season that remains true to our mission of presenting plays that speak to us and the times we live in – from world classics to new works and the best of the Singapore theatre canon. In that vein, it gives us great pleasure to kick off the season with a new revival of one of the greatest hits in WILD RICE’s repertoire. Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is, quite simply, the perfect comedy. But it’s also so much more than that. Dig beneath the surface of its hijinks and witticisms, and you’ll find a razor-sharp satire – one that merrily skewers a society obsessed with manners and money, privilege and propriety. At the same time, the play is a full-hearted and, yes, earnest reminder of the importance of being true to oneself. When we first embarked on bringing this production to life a decade ago, we asked ourselves how we could fully express every facet of Wilde’s brilliant play – while also making it resonate for audiences in Singapore. The answer came in the form of Glen Goei’s inspired vision of casting a company of men in suits. With this bold masterstroke, Glen brought the play’s themes into sharp focus, while injecting layers of irony and depth that Wilde himself would no doubt have appreciated. Over the years, it’s been our great privilege to have flown the Singapore flag overseas, wowing both audiences and critics with this production at international arts festivals in Macau and Brisbane. But, never content to rest on our laurels, we have again applied ourselves to reimagining this beloved production as the most intimate of soirées at our new home in Funan. We hope that everything you are about to experience – from our exceptional cast and beautiful production design, to the glorious music provided by The Concordia Quartet (Singapore’s newest string ensemble) – will tickle, romance and delight you. Thank you so much for coming. We hope you enjoy the show, and we look forward to welcoming you to our theatre throughout the year! IVAN HENG
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Ladies and Gentlemen, How, you might ask, is a play written in 1894 still relevant to us in Singapore today? The truth is that Oscar Wilde’s brilliant The Importance of Being Earnest is more relevant than ever before. Wilde’s characters live in a world that doesn’t encourage them to be themselves, and so they must invent lies and alter egos for a chance at happiness. Sounds familiar? We live such ‘Earnest’ lives here in modern-day Singapore. We care far too much about appearances. We insist on conducting ourselves in ways that are deemed ‘proper’. We mercilessly judge people and behaviour that challenge the norm. That’s why we need Wilde’s open-hearted, open-minded play more than ever – we need to be reminded of the importance of being true to yourself. We are so proud to be re-imagining The Importance of Being Earnest for WILD RICE’s new theatre in Funan. I am very fortunate to be supported in this production by some of Singapore’s very best designers and theatre-makers, not to mention the fabulous original cast who first helped me breathe fresh life into this play over a decade ago. Thank you, Oscar, for leading the way with your plays, your essays, your life. This is for you. And thank you for joining us in the theatre today. Enjoy the show! GLEN GOEI
A Comedy of Earnest Proportions
The Importance of Being Earnest is regarded by many as Oscar
Wilde's greatest achievement as a playwright. Ironically, it also
marked the beginning of the end of his career...
By Shawne Wang
Over the next few months, Wilde revised
his handwritten draft, refining it into the
masterpiece it finally became. This involved
condensing the play from four acts into
three, tweaking every line, and cutting
entire characters.
Opening Night-mare
The Importance of Being Earnest opened
at the St James’s Theatre in London on
Valentine’s Day in 1895. By all accounts,
the opening-night performance was a
smashing success – it received a standing
ovation that prompted Allan Aynesworth
(who originated the role of Algernon
Moncrieff) to later observe that he had
In the early 1890s, Oscar Wilde was at the
experienced no “greater triumph” in his
very height of his career (and powers) as
decades-long acting career.
a playwright. He had become the toast of
London following the popular success of his
But the play’s triumphant reception by
two satirical comedies, Lady Windermere’s
audiences was marred by the plans of the
Fan and A Woman of No Importance, and
Marquess of Queensberry, Lord Douglas’
was reportedly earning up to £100 a week.
father.
(That’s about S$22,000 in today’s money!)
To save his son’s (and his own) reputation,
At the urging of his producers, Wilde wrote
the Marquess had already begun to publicly
the first draft of The Importance of Being
denounce the flamboyant Wilde for his
Earnest (subtitled A Trivial Comedy for
homosexual proclivities. He planned to
Serious People) in August 1894. The farcical
disrupt the opening night of The Importance
play, whose protagonists invent alter egos
of Being Earnest by throwing a bouquet
to circumvent social duties and societal
of rotten vegetables at Wilde during the
expectations, drew inspiration from Wilde’s
curtain call. Wilde and his producer learned
daily life. Lady Bracknell, for instance,
of this scheme and thwarted it by cancelling
was named after the hometown of Lady
the Marquess’ ticket and preventing his
Queensberry – mother of Wilde’s lover, Lord
entry into the theatre.
Alfred Douglas.
The Beginning of The End
Frustrated by the Marquess’ continued
harrassment, Wilde sued his lover’s father
for criminal libel. This decision proved to
be a catastrophic one. The Marquess hired
private investigators to dig up evidence of
Wilde’s homosexual liaisons, and salacious
details soon began spreading through the
press.
Following a series of trials over the next
few months, Wilde was convicted on the
charge of gross indecency on 25 May 1895.
(The laws that incarcerated him were
repealed in England in 1967, but remain in
force in Singapore today as Section 377A of
the Penal Code.) Barely 15 weeks after The
Importance of Being Earnest had opened on
the West End, Wilde was in prison – serving
a sentence of two years’ hard labour.
Thus began Wilde’s tragic decline. However, the comedy’s madcap hijinks
His health suffered greatly during his hide a mighty sting. Apart from being
incarceration. Released in 1897, he spent the one of the funniest comedies ever
final three years of his life, impoverished written, The Importance of Being Earnest
and practically friendless, in France. On 30 is also a merciless satire of the uptight
November 1900, Wilde died of meningitis at Victorian society and rigid moral codes
the age of 46. that ultimately proved to be Wilde’s own
undoing.
A Legacy of Wit and Wisdom Most of all, The Importance of Being
Earnest is a celebration of individualism: a
Wilde’s wit, words and wisdom have reminder of the importance of being true
outlived him – from his extraordinarily to oneself. In every sparkling line of this
funny quips and bon mots, to his profoundly classic play, Wilde demonstrates his keen
insightful novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. understanding of the Herculean efforts that
go into leading a double life – as well as the
But it is The Importance of Being Earnest immeasurable happiness that comes with
that perhaps best encapsulates Wilde’s shedding falsehoods to embrace love, life
enduring appeal and brilliance as an and laughter.
artist. On the surface, the play is a dazzling
fireworks display of literature and language Images from the original 1895 production of The
Importance of Being Earnest
– according to renowned poet W.H. Auden,
“perhaps the only purely verbal opera in
English”. It is a feather-light confection,
written by “a butterfly, for butterflies”, as
Wilde himself described it.
CAST (In order of appearance)
CRISPIAN CHAN BRENDON FERNANDEZ
as Lane / Merriman as Algernon Moncrieff
Crispian is an accomplished actor and Brendon is equal parts astonished, elated
performance photographer with over 20 and grateful to be reprising his role as
years’ experience in the performing arts Algernon! 11 years, 3 countries and many
industry. soirées later, The Importance of Being
Earnest remains one of his most cherished
Singapore theatre credits: The Importance productions.
of Being Earnest (WILD RICE); The Lady
of Soul and Her Ultimate “S” Machine His recent stage credits include Merdeka
and Dark Room x8 (Esplanade Studio); /獨立/தந்திரம், Displaced Persons'
Paradise (Teater Ekamatra); Swimming Welcome Dinner, Off Centre, Underclass,
with Sharks and Peter and the Starcatcher Tropicana the Musical and HOTEL.
(Pangdemonium); Equus (Toy Factory);
Becoming Graphic (Edith Podesta/ Brendon is also a documentary television
Singapore International Festival presenter, emcee, corporate trainer and
of Arts); and The King Lear Project voiceover talent.
(kunstenfestivaldesarts/Singapore Arts
Festival). Instagram: @brendon_fernandez
Facebook: fb.me/page.brendon.fernandez
Film credits include: Kelvin Tong’s The
Offering and Boo Junfeng’s Apprentice.
Crispian is represented by FLY
Entertainment.
DANIEL YORK LOH IVAN HENG as John Worthing as Lady Bracknell Daniel is a mixed-race British- Ivan is one of Singapore’s most prominent Singaporean actor and writer. As an actor, and dynamic creative personalities. he has worked in the UK at the Royal In a pioneering career spanning three Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, decades, Ivan has directed, acted in and Royal Court, Hampstead Theatre, designed many landmark Singapore Donmar Warehouse, Finborough Theatre theatre productions. Ivan founded WILD and more. In Singapore, he has worked RICE in 2000. Under his leadership, with WILD RICE, The Finger Players, the company has reached an audience TheatreWorks and Pangdemonium, for of over a million people, and is today at whose production of Dealer’s Choice he the vanguard of creating theatre with a was awarded the Straits Times Life! distinctive Singaporean voice. In 2013, Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor. Ivan was awarded the Cultural Medallion, He has appeared in films, including Singapore’s highest cultural honour. Rogue Trader, The Beach, The Receptionist and Scarborough. He is one of 21 “writers of colour” featured in the best-selling essay collection, The Good Immigrant. His most recent play, Forgotten 遗忘, based on the experiences of the World War One Chinese Labour Corps, played at the Arcola Theatre in 2018.
CHUA ENLAI HOSSAN LEONG
as Gwendolen Fairfax as Miss Prism
Enlai is an award-winning actor and host Hossan, Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des
known for his dramatic and comedic Lettres, is one of Singapore’s most-loved
work across theatre, television and film. and recognised entertainers. Affectionately
known as ‘Singapore Boy’, Hossan is a
Currently seen in the Channel 5 drama consummate performer and director
series, Mixed Signals, recent television whose skills include singing, dancing,
credits include Channel 8’s Happy Go acting, piano-playing and stand-up
Lucky and CNA’s Becoming Human. He is comedy. Directing credits include Stephen
known for his work on the International Sondheim’s Company, Snow White &
Emmy-nominated The Noose, for which The Seven Dwarfs, Beauty & The Beast, A
he won the Asian Television Award for $ingapore Carol and the 2018 True Colours
Best Comedy Performance in 2010 and Festival Concert at the Singapore Indoor
2013. Stadium. He also directs traffic when
necessary.
Enlai has performed in over 50 theatre
productions. This will mark his 15th www.doubleconfirm.my
collaboration with WILD RICE. He was fb.com/HossanLeongOfficial
last seen on stage as Mirabella in Michael LinkedIn/Twitter/IG: @hossanleong
Chiang’s Private Parts. Awards include
Best Actor at the DBS Life! Theatre
Awards for Shopping & F***ing and Best
Supporting Actor at the Straits Times
Life! Theatre Awards for The Importance
of Being Earnest.
Enlai is represented by FLY
Entertainment.
Photo by Joel Low PhotographyGAVIN YAP LIM KAY SIU
as Cecily Cardew as Rev. Canon Chasuble
Gavin is an actor, writer and director. Kay Siu has been acting professionally
since 1985 in Singapore, America, London
Selected theatre credits include and Germany. Stage credits include The
Hand To God (SRT); Tribes, Fat Pig Father (Pangdemonium); Drift (Drama
(Pangdemonium); and Red (Blank Space). Box), ITSY The Musical (The Finger
Television credits include The Fifth Floor Players); Decimal Points 4.44, Cheek
(Ochre Pictures/Toggle), The Bridge (Cake Theatrical Productions); Lao Jiu
(Double Vision/HBO Asia), Lion Mums The Musical, If There’re Seasons (The
(Ochre Pictures/Mediacorp), Mixed Theatre Practice); The Emperor’s New
Signals (Stardust Story/Mediacorp) and Clothes, HOTEL, Monkey Goes West,
Invisible Stories (BirdManDog/HBO Asia). Family Outing, Blithe Spirit, Animal Farm
(WILD RICE); Morning People, Army
Feature film directing credits include Daze (Toy Factory); Death of a Salesman,
Take Me To Dinner (2014), KL24: Zombies Oleanna (SRT); Three Japanese Women
(2017) and, most recently, Revenge Of The (Mu-Lan, London); and The Letter (Lyric
Pontianak (2019), co-directed with Glen Hammersmith, London). Musicals include
Goei and now streaming on Netflix. Dick Lee’s Beauty World, Fried Rice Paradise
and Nagraland (lead role and assistant
director), as well as Piaf for TheatreWorks.
Kay Siu also went to directing school at
London’s Central School of Speech and
Drama in 1994.MUSICIANS
The Concordia Quartet is the newest addition to Resound Collective, members of which
include conservatory-trained professionals who are among Singapore’s most talented
and dedicated musicians. The Concordia Quartet was formed to bring chamber music in
the string-quartet form to more audiences, as part of Resound Collective’s goal to enrich
Singapore’s classical music landscape by performing at the highest level. As Singapore’s
second-ever full-time professional string quartet (following the acclaimed T’ang Quartet),
The Concordia Quartet strives for dedication and commitment to the music it plays, in
hopes of reaching out to audiences both in and beyond the concert hall through regular
performances as well as community outreach.
The Concordia Quartet, which comprises four prize-winning musicians (Kim Kyu Ri,
Matthias Oestringer, Edward Tan and Theophilus Tan), made its debut on 1 February 2020.
MATTHIAS OESTRINGER
KIM KYU RI MATTHIAS OESTRINGER
Violin Viola
Kyu Ri is currently second violinist in While studying at the Akademie für
the newly formed Concordia Quartet. Tonkunst in Darmstadt (Germany) under
She has been freelancing regularly with the tutelage of Dorothee Birke (violin) and
professional orchestras in Singapore, such Jan Nowicki (viola), Matthias participated
as the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra in several master- and chamber music
and re:Sound Chamber Orchestra. In 2017, classes with Michael Hahn, Prof. Rainer
she was selected from over a thousand Hoffmann, Matthias Gräff-Schestag,
musicians across Asia to participate in Lavard Skou Larsen and Prof. Valery
the Asian Youth Orchestra’s Global Tour Gradow. After graduating in 2000 and
on a full scholarship. Kyu Ri received her before moving to Singapore in 2002,
Bachelor of Music (Honours) from the Yong Matthias performed in concerts and
Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, where she solo recitals in Poland, France, Germany,
studied with Igor Yuzefovich. She went on Switzerland and Turkey. Matthias is a
to pursue her Master of Music degree at lecturer at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Mannes School of Music with renowned (NAFA) for violin principle studies. Since
pedagogue Lucie Robert. 2016, he has performed as a violinist and
violist with Resound Collective.EDWARD TAN THEOPHILUS TAN
Violin Cello
Edward holds a Master’s Degree from Theophilus is a Singaporean cellist who
the Yale School of Music and a Bachelor’s started learning the cello at the age of 15
Degree with Performer’s Certificate under Mrs Herminia A. Ilano. He then
from the Eastman School of Music. studied at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory
Since returning home after his studies of Music from 2011 to 2015 under Ng Pei-
in 2012, he has performed extensively in Sian. He won the Goh Soon Tioe Award
both chamber and orchestral settings, in 2015 and went on to pursue a Master
regularly freelancing with the Singapore of Music degree in Cello Performance at
Symphony Orchestra, the Metropolitan the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana
Festival Orchestra and re:Sound Chamber in Lugano, Switzerland, supported by
Orchestra - for which he also serves as Trailblazer Foundation and individual
a member of the Artistic Committee. donorship. He has participated in master
Edward is also a teacher and conductor; classes with cellists such as Frans
he is an instrumental teacher at the Helmerson, Gustav Rivinius, Arto Noras
School of the Arts, as well as the and more. Theophilus has performed with
Associate Conductor of the Musicians’ various groups, including the Braddell
Initiative. Heights Symphony Orchestra, Resound
Collective and Enrico d’Onofrio.CREATIVE TEAM
OSCAR WILDE GLEN GOEI
Playwright Director
Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde Glen has been the Co-Artistic Director
(1854 – 1900) was an Irish poet and of WILD RICE since 2002. Productions
playwright. He was a leading spokesman he has directed include Merdeka/獨
for England’s Aesthetic movement, 立/தந்திரம், Emily of Emerald Hill,
which championed art for art’s sake. In Supervision, La Cage Aux Folles, HOTEL,
1881, at the age of 27, Wilde published Public Enemy, The House of Bernarda
his first collection of poetry. His only Alba, Cook a Pot of Curry, Family Outing,
novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), Blithe Spirit, The Magic Fundoshi,
was poorly received upon publication Aladdin and Boeing Boeing.
but has since become a classic. In
the early 1890s, Wilde became one As an actor, Glen made his professional
of the most popular playwrights in debut playing the title role in M. Butterfly
London, producing a string of beloved in London’s West End, opposite Anthony
comedies like Lady Windermere’s Fan, Hopkins. After an extended break, he
An Ideal Husband and The Importance donned his acting heels again when
of Being Earnest. Wilde’s career came he played Mama White Snake in WILD
to an untimely end in 1895, when he RICE’s 2017 pantomime. Last year, Glen
was convicted on the charge of ‘gross was seen playing a cannibalistic theatre
indecency’ and sentenced to two years’ director in Daniel Hui’s feature film,
hard labour. In 1900, Wilde died of Demons (Busan and Berlin International
meningitis at the age of 46. Film Festivals).
As a filmmaker, he released his third
feature film, Revenge of the Pontianak,
in 2019, after winning international
acclaim with Forever Fever (1998) and
The Blue Mansion (2009).WONG CHEE WAI TAI ZI FENG
Set Designer Lighting Designer
Chee Wai is a full-time freelance set A theatre acting student from NAFA, Zi
designer. He has designed and worked Feng found himself mesmerised by the
with various performing arts companies stage lighting in a showcase in his second
in Singapore. Some of his recent works year. Thereafter, he volunteered to help
include WILD RICE’s Merdeka /獨立/ out in various theatre productions, which
தந்திரம், Fair Play, Emily of Emerald Hill, eventually led to him designing lighting
Supervision, Mama White Snake, HOTEL, for several NAFA productions. He went
Monkey Goes West, Public Enemy and The on to study for a degree in Theatre Arts,
House of Bernarda Alba; as well as The specialising in Lighting Design. Since then,
Necessary Stage’s Those Who Can’t, Teach he has been freelancing as a lighting and
and Sight Lines Productions’ Lord of the scenic designer. His recent credits include
Flies. Permanence by Toy Factory and Infinite
Island by Singapore Chinese Orchestra, as
well as The Severing Sword by Nam Hwa
Opera Ltd.FREDERICK LEE ASHLEY LIM Costume Designer Hair Designer Frederick’s couture fashion-as- Ashley started his hairstyling career in performance-art theatricality has made 1986 and set up Ashley Salon in 1999 to him one of Singapore’s most sought-after further pursue his dedication towards designers. Frederick’s work in pushing the art of hairdressing, especially for the envelope on fashion design as we the theatre. He has worked on over 300 know it has also garnered him numerous productions locally and abroad, and is awards and accolades. Most recently, he privileged to be widely recognised by the was named Best International Designer local theatre community as a veteran in of the Year at Vietnam Fashion Week his artistry. Recent credits include WILD 2019. To support his friends in the RICE’s Peter Pan in Serangoon Gardens, theatre, Frederick has designed costumes HOTEL and La Cage Aux Folles; Michael for the likes of WILD RICE’s La Cage Chiang’s Army Daze 2; Pangdemonium’s Aux Folles and The Importance of Being Fun Home; The Theatre Practice’s Liao Zhai Earnest; Dream Academy’s Dim Sum Rocks! and Dream Academy’s Broadway Dollies and The Theatre Practice’s If Beng: Last Beng Standing. He recently took There’re Seasons. Along the way, he has home the Lifetime Achievement Award for won the Best Costume Design Award at Theatre, presented by Mediacorp. the Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards thrice. Frederick was also the director of costumes for the 2008 and 2009 National Day Parades, as well as the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
CREDITS
Cast
in order of appearance
Crispian Chan Lane/Merriman
Brendon Fernandez Algernon Moncrieff
Daniel York Loh John Worthing
Ivan Heng Lady Bracknell
Chua Enlai Gwendolen Fairfax
Hossan Leong Miss Prism
Gavin Yap Cecily Cardew
Lim Kay Siu Rev. Canon Chasuble
Live Musical Accompaniment
The Concordia Quartet
Kim Kyu Ri, Matthias Oestringer, Edward Tan & Theophilus Tan
Creative Team
Playwright Oscar Wilde
Director Glen Goei
Set Designer Wong Chee Wai
Lighting Designer Tai Zi Feng
Costume Designer Frederick Lee
Hair Designer Ashley Lim
Production Team
Producer Koh Bee Bee
Production Manager Melissa Teoh
Technical Manager David Sagaya
Production Co-ordinators Phua Yun Yun & Augustina Ongah
Production Assistants Alfred Ang & Angela Ee
Stage Manager Nureen Raidah
Assistant Stage Managers Nadia Noordin & Joyce Gan
Stage Assistant Joy Lee
Wardrobe Manager Theresa Chan
Props Mistress Joyce Gan
Dressers Lim Zhiying & Nurhazirah Hazian
Hair Assistant Michelle Wai
Technicians Ahmad Hafriz Bin Berkath & Muhammad Azhar Bin AzmanACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ARCHANGEL
CORPORATE SPONSOR SEASON PARTNER OFFICIAL CARD PARTNERS
OFFICIAL MAKE UP OFFICIAL CATERER OFFICIAL PRINTER OFFICIAL WINE
WILD RICE LTD IS SUPPORTED BY THE NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL UNDER THE MAJOR
COMPANY SCHEME FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1 APRIL 2019 TO 31 MARCH 2022.
THANK YOU!
Bobbie Ng from The Make Up Room / Frederick Lee Couture / Grafunkt
Huntington Communications / Jem Toh / Joe's Tailoring / MZA Productions
On Staging Pte Ltd / SISTIC.COM Pte Ltd / THE SUPERGRAPHER! / WILD RICE Angels
Volunteers & UshersABOUT WILD RICE
WILD RICE was founded in 2000 by Ivan Heng, an internationally acclaimed and
award-winning theatre practitioner, and is recognised today as one of Singapore's
leading professional theatre companies.
Its mission is to provide an open forum for the shared experience of theatre: celebrating
our diversity; reflecting on the problems and possibilities of our times; and presenting
productions that inspire, challenge and entertain.
A commitment to the highest standards informs every aspect of WILD RICE’s creative
work, which is first and foremost a celebration of Singapore’s theatrical talent. By
producing and touring productions that are distinctively local in flavour and yet
universal in vision and concerns, the company creates memorable experiences for
audiences in Singapore and across the world.
The company's exciting and varied The company's mission to build a theatre
programming for the main stage culture also extends to the wider
includes: community through the following divisions:
+ New and original works + WILD RICE Academy and First
+ New productions of the Singapore Stage, which offer drama and training
repertoire programmes to nurture young talents
from the ages of 5 to 12
+ New interpretations of world classics
+ Singapore Youth Theatre, which
develops and empowers young people
aged 13 to 17 through theatre
+ Young & Wild, which identifies and
develops Singapore’s young theatre
professionals from the ages of 18 to 30
WILD RICE is committed to touring its shows internationally to raise the profile of
Singapore theatre, to create an international awareness of its unique productions, and
to engage its artists and collaborators in creative dialogues with the international arts
community. Its distinctively Singaporean productions have won great acclaim in major
international arts festivals in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, New
Zealand and Russia.
WILD RICE @ Funan is the company’s new home in the heart of Singapore’s civic and
cultural district. This groundbreaking performing arts complex promises to be an iconic
destination theatre for Singapore, one dedicated to creating and presenting the best of
Singapore theatre, while nurturing the artists and audiences of tomorrow.WILD IVAN HENG
Founding Artistic Director
PRODUCTION
KOH BEE BEE
RICE
Producer
TONY TRICKETT
Executive Director MELISSA TEOH
TEAM ARTISTIC
GLEN GOEI
Production Manager
PHUA YUN YUN
Co-Artistic Director Production Co-ordinator
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ALFIAN SA'AT AUGUSTINA ONGAH
Tan Siok Sun Chair Resident Playwright / Co-Artistic Director, Production Co-ordinator
Janice Koh Vice Chair Singapore Theatre Festival
Bill Ang ALFRED ANG
Deborah Barker YOUTH & EDUCATION Production Assistant
Randy Chan THOMAS LIM
Chan Ying Lock Associate Artistic Director, ANGELA EE
Youth & Education Production Assistant
Glen Goei
Ivan Heng
EDITH PODESTA DEVELOPMENT
Anthonia Hui Associate Artistic Director,
Simone Lourey Young & Wild GEMMA BYRNE
Head, Business Development
Tony Trickett
EZZAT ALKAFF
TERESA FU
DEVELOPMENT BOARD Youth & Education Manager
Business Development Manager
Janice Koh Chair
Holman Chin BENJAMIN LYE
Administrator, Young & Wild FATIN ROSSIDA
Harris Zaidi Development Executive
Anthonia Hui
Ken Khoo MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
ADMINISTRATION
Kitch Lum ASH LIM
Head, Marketing & Communications KATHERINE KHOO
Tan Siok Sun Head, Administration
Jimmy Yim LINDA TAN
Marketing Manager JASMINE LIM
Accounts Manager
ELSY NG
Marketing Executive ROSS TOH
Administration Executive
SHAWNE WANG
Editorial Consultant VENUE
KOH WEE GIAP
Venue Manager
MEGAN BARKER
Video Content Creator
MUHAMMAD FADLY BIN NANYAN
Assistant Venue Manager
NURUL IZZAH
Graphic Designer
DAVID SAGAYA
Technical Manager
AHMAD HAFRIZ BIN BERKAT
Technician
MUHAMMAD AZHAR BIN AZMAN
TechnicianThank you, WILD RICE Angels!
GUARDIAN Leroy & Genevieve Mccully RUBY Mr. Jonathan Lee Wee Ern
Ms Kay Kuok Kishore Moorjani Aamer Architects Mr Phillip Lee Soo Hoon
Terrific Mentors International A Ruby Angel Leong Ching
ARCHANGEL
Pte Ltd Benett Vincent Leow
AL Wealth Partners Pte Ltd
The Silent Foundation Bernhard & Elena Les Trois Chats
GOLDEN ANGEL Mr & Mrs Neil Mss N. & K. Bun Mr. Amos Lim
Mrs Betty Chen & Mi Jong Tottman Lisa Burnage Mdm Bernice Lim
TRAXX Payments Pte Ltd & Christoph Theisinger Collin Lim
PINK DIAMOND
Dr Knut Unger Mr & Mrs Bernard Chan Lim Kian Chong Gerald
Mdm Lena Cheng U Wen &
Catherine Poyen HK Chan Mr Terence Lim Chee Wen
Family
& David Zemans Ms Jessica Chan Timothy Lim
William S.W. Lim
Charinne Char Edmund Lin & Trina Liang-Lin
HCS Engineering Pte Ltd PEARL
Cara & Tamara Chang Richard Lingner
Mr Peter Michael Lee Keith Aldrich & Janice Ngeow
LC Cheam Gretchen Liu
& Ms Suzanne Liau Bynd Artisan Pte Ltd
Cheam Shou-Sen Jeffrey Loke
Mr William Randall Darren Cerasi
Ms Florence Chek Ms Shirlyn Loo
& Ms Simone Lourey SL Chan
Dr Christopher Chen Steven Luk Chiew Peng
Dr Finian Tan & Fiona Tan Ben & Yvonne Chiang
Mr Felix Chen Seong Kit Kitch Lum
Dina and Kevin Coppel
YELLOW DIAMOND & Mdm Ong Paik Sim Maisy & Dawn
Colin & Linda Chee
Mr Lam Kun Kin Ms Cheng Adeline May Hui
Heng H M
Stella T. East Tony Ching Mrs & Mrs Munnley
Mr & Mrs Leonard Heng
Conrad Lim & Andrea Giam Ben & Yvonne Chiang James & Katherine Murray
Mr Richard Ho KF
Ms Paige Parker Dr Chionh Su Lin Dr Euan Murugasu
Ms Susanna Kang Lee Cheng
& Mr Jim Rogers Rosemary Chng & Dr Gillian Koh
Dr Grace Chiam
Dr Mary Ann Tsao Chong Zhi Xin & Jovin Ong Meena Mylvaganam
Mr. & Mrs. Dermot Keilthy
Ms Stephanie Chu Yen Tzer & Michael Tay
DIAMOND Alla Lukyanova
Ms Genevieve Chua Kwee Huay Mr Praveen Nair
Mr Rogerio Bernardo Pacific Century Group
Richard Chua Dorothy Ng Geok Eng
Mr Andrey Berzins Ten Hui Yu
Selene Chua Dr. Serene Ng
Lim Ming Yan Elvin Too & Catherine Cheung
Dr. Ivan Chua David Neo
Mr. Chong Chan Meng Koh Choon Heong
Tristan Chua Tian Yu Su-Chzeng Ong
& Ms Lim Sing Yuen Mdm Koh Geok Khing
Mr Arnoud De Meyer Adrian Peh
Ms Cara Puah Norman Ho
Roopa Dewan Pamela Phua
The Friedman Family Lee Guo Zheng
Flower Diamond Prakash & Vidhya Pillay
Jacqueline Ho, Esq Leslie Lee
Enceinte Pte Ltd Poh Kim Wah
Simon Ho Mr Lim Sin Teck
Florence David Poon & Jacqueline Ng
Mr. Anthony Huray Mr & Mrs Lim Sze-Liang
Harry Fok Raleigh & Jasper Pritchard
Ping Ong & Jason Coates Steven Miller & Pat Meyer
Theresa Foo Que Richard Rubnan
Molly Singam-Chow Mr & Mrs Darren & Jill Murphy
Robert Fox & Irene Low Stephan Repkow
Mr. Kenneth Tan Vernie Alison Oliveiro
Mervyn Fong Ruby
Mr Terry Tan & Harris Zaidi Ms Tracy Forster
Danny Goh Henrik Savia
Mr Kris Taenar Wiluan & Mr Ivo Philipps
Goh Mia Yang Shaun & Klarissa
Ms Eleanor Wong Siew Yin PromoPower Pte Ltd
Ms Bernice Franck Roger Simons & Valerie Tan
Mr Hugh Young Ms Kamini Sathananthar
Gan Yong Ann Catherine Tang
Dr �gi Slater
EMERALD Goei Kim Chwee Benedict SeeToh
S Soon & C Lim
Noreen Chan Goh Kok Wee Brian Selby & Angelina Chang
Casey Teh
Benjamin & Annie Chang Honor Harger Dr. Kanwaljit Soin
David Tan TH
Elisabeth de Rothschild Shirley Heng Soo Kuo Tong
Tristan & Denise Theurier
Joel Devidal & Tomoko Devidal Ms Katharine Ho Dr. Jam Sou Lai, E15/80
Mrs Tracey Woon
Enya-Lea Pte Ltd May Hui Dr Tony Stanley
Tan Hong Wui
Dorian Goh Jason & Clare Humphreys & Dr Suditi Muttu
Tan Jin Kien
Mr Ronald Gwee Jake, Ta & Sasithon Jacobs Mr Hugh Sutherland
Dr Tan Poh Kiang
Russell Heng Ji Shin Casey Tan
& Mrs Tan Lie Joan
Stephanie Ho Zaki Jumahri Dr. Fred Tan Kong Meng
Ms Viviene Sandhu
Chung Wei Han Dr Khoo Dr Gilbert Tan
M Sirisena & S. Chaturapit
& Hoong Yik Luen Mavis Kuek Harry Tan
Mr Yeoh Cheng Huann
Raja Kamal Mr & Mrs Winston Vivienne Tan
Geoffrey Yu
Mr & Mrs Kenneth Kan & Valerie Kwek Mr & Mrs Kevin
Ms Kuah Eng Hua RUBY DEVIL Ms Fanny Lai and Tiffany Tam
& Mr Patrick Kwek Dr & Prof Irene Lim Kay Han Annie Lee Dr Glenn Tan
Dr Lai Jiunn Herng & David Alexander Stringer Eugene Lee Mr Kenneth Tan Wee KhengMdm Tan Siok Sun Edgar Foo Gordon Tan Ms Mae Hoon Ann
Mylene Tay Ms Y.L. Foo Dr. Maybelle Tan Yves Meyer
Ms Jennifer Tay Gao Lu & Kat Lee Phyllis P.L. Tan Mr William Neo Hock Seng
Teo Ai Shoon Maryanne Gul Sheryl Tan Tina & Jeremy Nixon
Teo Ee Jun Mr Harry Goh Leck Chien Joseph Henderson-Tang Ms Antoinette Renee Patterson
Ms Kathy Teo Siva Govindasamy Hazel Tay Ms Nathalie Ribette
Keith Teo & Malini Sitaram Janet Tay Miss Bee Rogers
Elsie Tjoeng Roger L.F. and Gisella Harrold Tay Man Zhi Mayumi Saito
Mrs Carole Torel Christine Henderson BG Michael Teo Soon Sze Meng
Mr. Joe Vu & Chandran Kukathas Jessie Toh Saw Cheng Suan
& Dr. Michelle Cheung Tom Ho & Family LH Tham Ms Wendy Siew
Mr. Andre Walderbach Judit Hordai Tricia Betty Sim
Mr Sacha Walker Huang Wanyi Wan Pei Kendra Gail Sim
Wong Ah Yoke IT Lighthouse Distribution Ms Wee Cathleen Sandra Stonham
Mr & Mrs Jonathan Wong Pte Ltd Peter White & Ong Yaw Hwee Jason Sun
Mr & Mrs Don Yap John Emmett, Hazel & Emeric Wong Alex Tan
Mr Dharmendra Prasad Yadav Jamie Wong Francine Tan Law Corporation
Ms Yeo Suan Wei Kuan & Sanjay Julie & Kevin Wong Mrs Linda Soo-Tan
Tania Wee Khoo Ai Lin Mr Melvin Yap LJ Tan
Mr David Wilkins Eugene, Emily & Elliot Khoo Mr Meyer Yves Tan Soh Keng
& Ms Rachael Tay Dr Lana Y L Khong Tan Sook Yee
AMBER
Wong T H Farhana Sharmeen Edwina Tang
An Angel
Dr Jean Yim Ms Koay Su Ching Mr Kenny Tay
Chema Aramburu
Yeo Yien Hoe Koh Kim Siah Mary Ann Tear
Artbeatz
Andrew & Joan Yim Koh Soon Heong Mdm Jet Teong
A Barathan
Yong Mei Ling, Gabby Ms Julie Kohn Ms Jane Toh Hwee Tiang
Mr & Mrs Mario
Yuchien Kwok Hui Qi Jasmines Jeremy Wang
& Siang Goh Bernasconi
Ms. Kwok Shuhui Aaron Wee
SAPPHIRE Charmaine Chan
Lau Hiu Fung Wee Teck
Kelli Chng Mr Chen Jie
Nadav Lehavy Michael Fisher
Mr & Mrs Peter & Britta Pfister Desmond Chew
Wan Ting Lee & Susann Wilkinson
Mr Colin Robinson Jason Chew
Mdm Priscilla Leong Eric Wong
Ms Priscylla Shaw Holman Chin
Jackie Leung Chin Ha Joanna Wong
Chris & Gudrun Werner Johnson Chong
Li Xiaowen Kai Wong
Ms Diana Choo Yeow Kheng
JADE Mr. Lim Boon Eng Yap Weiliang
Ms Chua Yi Wen
Alvin Ms Carina Lim Jing Ting Datuk Margaret Yeo
Mr. & Mrs. Basile Clout
Rajesh Achanta Joyce Lim Kelvin Yip
Paula Craigie
Mr Peter Allen Wesley Lim Yiyan
Derrick
Dr. Peter L. Allen Zoey Lim B P Ms Pat Young Siew Rang
Ms Gee Miaw Miin
& Mr. Heng Ching Jet Ms Linda Locke
Charlotte Goh
Ang Kim Choo Alex Lou Lian Chung We also wish to thank our
Hanrong
Ann Mei & Mahat Mr & Mrs Georg anonymous donors and new
Prof Thomas Hecht
Prof. Neil & Christine Mechtler
Hannes Hentze Angels whom, due to printing
& Mrs Rajitha Bearden Karen Ng
Mr Bernard Ho Eng Kiat deadlines, we have not been
Dr. Anne K. Bendt Oliver
Ms. Rena Ho able to include.
Benjamin & Ying-Li Mr Ong Beng Teck
Elizabeth Ip
Ms Judith Bollinger Mr Stephen Ong
Michelle & Mariessa Yeo Jam
Mr Chester Chan Dr Ong Yong Lock
Peggy Kek
Trisha Chan Chris Panfil & David Mungall
Dr Lana Khong
Lynn Chang Mr JY Pillay
James Koh
Adeline Chew Kamini Ramchandani
Koh Shixin
Ms Lyyn Chin Noah & Esme Seow
Prof Durreen Shahnaz
Oliver Chong Naoko Shimazu
& Mr Robert A. Kraybill
Valerie Chu Ms Sharon Sng
Dr Jack Tsen-Ta Lee
Mr Ferdinand De Bakker Soon Sze Meng
Cedric Leung
Rajeev & Alexandra De Mello Dr Cecilia Soong
Lim Seh Leng
Mr Gerard Francis De Silva Ms Tan Bee Leng
Serena Lim
Mr Maurice De Vaz Mr Tan Chor Yean
Lim Xiu Yun
Ms Nithia Devan Ms Crystal Tan Huiling
Emily Liu Aimin
Don & Purni Ferrin Mr Dennis Tan Wee Dean
Peter Loke
Mr. Foo Chwan Jye Gerard & Heem Juay Tan
Fei LowTHERE IS NO BETTER TIME TO BE AN ANGEL Enjoy special benefits and privileges during our most exciting and ambitious year yet! 2020 is a significant year for WILD RICE, as we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, we have lined up more than 10 shows, including our greatest hits as well as new work by Singapore theatre’s most promising talents. This would not be possible without our Angels, whose invaluable contributions provide crucial support for every aspect of our work - both on and off stage. This ranges from the artists and designers working tirelessly to produce WILD RICE’s award-winning shows, to our education programmes that spark conversations, ignite imaginations and inspire confidence for 10,000 young people every year. By making a fully tax-deductible donation starting from just S$350 a year, you can help keep our shows inclusive, accessible and affordable, even as we continue presenting theatre of the highest quality. WHAT'S MORE, YOU CAN ENJOY: MEETING THE ARTISTS SPECIAL EVENTS BACKSTAGE TOURS OTHER ANGEL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES INCLUDE: Complimentary Tickets Special Discounts on all WILD RICE Shows Priority Booking for the Best Seats in the House 250% Tax Deduction … and much more! Sign up now at wildrice.com.sg/angel or contact angels@wildrice.com.sg. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
FRASER SUITES SINGAPORE • FRASER PLACE ROBERTSON WALK, SINGAPORE
FRASER RESIDENCE SINGAPORE • FRASER RESIDENCE ORCHARD, SINGAPORE • CAPRI BY FRASER, CHANGI CITY
Central Reservations (Singapore): +65 62 700 800 Email: reservations.singapore@frasershospitality.comIE 40 PRO
IE 400 PRO
IE 500 PRO
More me – IE Series
When the show is underway, your monitoring
others — but above all: with yourself. We have
further developed dynamic drivers that fit the
smallest of spaces. Powerful monitoring sound
for loud stages remains precise with solid
bass whatever the sound level. Sounds like
more — like much more.
Now available at Sennheiser Brand Stores at Marina Bay Sands and
Marina Square, Sennheiser Online Store, and at all Authorised Retailer.
Find out more at sennheiser.com/moremeNewbegin
ses
clas April!
in
Weekly drama classes for children aged 5 to 12
Learning Comes Alive through Drama and Storytelling!
Ignite your child’s imagination, inspire their confidence and equip them
with skills for life. WILD RICE is proud to present drama classes conducted
by experienced teachers who are passionate about bringing out the best in
your child.
What you and your child can expect:
Learn to Perform
Fun-filled lessons in drama skills like storytelling,
role-playing, music and dance
Develop Social and Emotional Skills
Self-awareness, empathy, and appreciating differences
through working with others
Think Creatively and Critically
Appreciating and relating to stories of people from
different cultures, backgrounds and ways of thinking
Grow Confidence in Expression and Communication
Perform in front of a live audience of teachers, family
and friends
Find our more about our programmes on our website
or email us at academy@wildrice.com.sgGRANDMOTHER
TONGUE
Written & Directed by THOMAS LIM
From 2 APR 2020
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
Written by J.B. PRIESTLEY
Directed by GLEN GOEI
From 7 MAY 2020
HOTEL
Written by ALFIAN SA'AT
& MARCIA VANDERSTRAATEN
Directed by IVAN HENG & GLEN GOEI
From 11 JUN 2020wildrice.com.sg
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