Titoudao

Went to watch TiTouDao with XY and her ex-colleague yday at the Drama Centre Theatre at National Library.

Synopsis:

An English music drama set in the 1940s on the life of a Hokkien street opera actress, Madam Oon Ah Chiam, Titoudao traces her struggles against all odds to become a renowned wayang (Street Opera) star in Singapore and Malaysia. Through her colourful life story, we see the societal and economical changes in Singapore. It is a moving account of the struggles of a petite Chinese woman set against the progression of an ever developing island city. A heartwarming play that is poignant yet hilarious, it will make you burst into peals of laughter at one moment and weep the next. You will leave the theatre inspired by this extraordinary life experience of Madam Oon.

The star studded cast includes Singapore's stage and television luminaries Pam Oei, Beatrice Chia-Richmond, Karen Tan, Sebastian Tan, Chua En Lai, Aidli 'Alin' Mosbit, Gordon Choy and newcomer Judy Tan. Written and directed by Toy Factory's Chief Artistic Director Goh Boon Teck whom won Best Original Script for Titoudao at the inaugural Life! Theatre Awards in 2001, this play also swept other major awards including Play of the Year, Best Production Design, Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress whom Pam Oei won for her role as Titoudao.

A Hokkien-illiterate person like me probably failed to grasp the full essence of the musical...which was quite a pity. But what i like most about the play, besides the way they set the scene and tone as the audience trickle in at the start, was the way the 2 main story lines were weaved together (of the fictional titoudao and ah chiam).

Local theatre and drama groups are really deserving of local support. They've really improved over the ways artistically, creatively ....which probably explains the rise in cost of tickets as well....