When Yh told me she had booked tickets to watch Titoudao, I must say I wasn’t all that ”jumping for joy” mood. Had not much idea what the play was about and the weird sounding title didn’t seem to hold much promise. Boy was I wrong!

Must say I haven’t seen a play that infuses wayang, getai, disco into 2 threads of stories (about the fictional Titoudao and Ah Chiam). As usual, Pam Ooi shines in the role of Ah Chiam and although I had a hard time catching the hokkien during the wayang sections (luckily there was “lyrics” next to the stage), I thoroughly enjoyed the very flashback scenes as Ah Chiam narrated her growing up years.

Rather amazing how a small cast of Pam Oei, Beatrice Chia-Richmond, Karen Tan, Sebastian Tan, Chua En Lai, Aidli ‘Alin’ Mosbit, Gordon Choy and Judy Tan  brought wayang to life at the Drama Centre Theatre.

Titoudao is an English music drama about the life of a Hokkien street opera actress, Madam Oon Ah Chiam. During her early twenties, Madam Oon performed the role of this incorrigible but likeable character – Titoudao, to such perfection that the public fondly called her by this stage name. This is a play inspired by Madam Oon’s memories and experiences.

Source: About Titoudao

JACK and THE BEANSPROUT
Opens 29 Nov 2006
Drama Centre Theatre @ National Library, Level 3
W!LD RICE proudly presents Jack & the Beansprout!, a brand new musical-comedy-pantomime about dreams, a mother’s love,, Giants, honesty, greed and the perils of keeping up with the Tans, Dawoods and Sallehs.

Source: W!LD RICE :: Production : Coming Soon

Yh thought this might be interesting so we’re going tonight

Edited 2006-12-25

The musical held at National Library was definitely very interesting. Compared to Oi! Sleeping Beauty last year (also by Wild Rice), I liked Jack and the Beansprout more. The theme of wanting more as you get more felt very real as we grow up and earn more financially. The weaving of such a universal theme into a children’s classic was definitely interesting to savour since we all know what’s going to happen, but the tiny twists and overall “upgrade” of the characters to more accurately reflect current cultures made it even more fun to watch. I personally liked Ivan Heng’s character of Widow Neo the most since it was over the top and superbly funny to watch. Definitely a must watch and glad Yh picked this for us to enjoy. Thanks dear!

Jack and the Beansprout, the fourth in this series, is characteristic of the W!ld Rice pantomimes. It’s a sugar buzz of fun, featuring overblown, interactive drama that children should love – director Jonathan Lim milks plenty of physical humour from the actors’ efforts to negotiate a supersized kitchen floor in the giant’s palace. This sense of fun often reaches out to adults alone – there are jokes about Royston Tan and the Singapore Biennale, and loads of sexual double entendres that rugrats will not comprehend unless they’re corrupted already.

Source: FLYING INKPOT THEATRE REVIEW: Jack and the Beansprout by W!ld Rice