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