Legends of the Southern Arch

Founded by Kuo Pao Kun and Goh Lay Kuan around the time of Singapore’s independence, The Theatre Practice (TTP) have been through many ups and downs in the last half-century. Now helmed by Kuo Jian Hong, the oldest bilingual theatre company in town celebrate their own SG50 by tackling wuxia in its upcoming production, Legends of the Southern Arch.

In the world of the play, written by Liu Xiaoyi, a secret manual lies hidden under the Southern Arch by a cult 60 years before the start of the story. When the Arch reopens, warriors fight to retrieve it, as the one who does shall rule the realm of the martial arts. Jian Hong tells Gwen Pew more about this epic tale of honour and vengeance.

Why stage a wuxia show for TTP’s 50th anniversary?

Wuxia on stage is a rarity, and it is certainly something that TTP have not done before. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we do not want to rest on achievements from the past, but instead continue to take risks and challenge ourselves. It is also exciting to work within a genre that allows so much imagination and fun!

What are some of the most powerful elements of the story?

Wuxia stories are typically about revenge that spans years and generations. As an audience/reader, we often want the good to defeat the evil, and in Legends of the Southern Arch, this is no exception. However, we want to explore the grey zone – the ‘bad’ is not just evil for evil’s sake, while the ‘good’ does not always do the right thing. The most powerful element of the story is to witness how the thirst for power and the hunger for revenge create senseless destruction of people, family and humanity.

What’s next for TTP?

Fifty years is an important milestone because of all the efforts and goodwill accumulated in the last five decades. However, 50 years is also not that different from 49 or 51 – it should be just another year of solid work and meaningful growth. Looking ahead, TTP will continue to respectfully entertain our audience while constantly challenging artistic boundaries. Hopefully, this older institution is wiser as we strive for tolerance by embracing differences, engage in spirited interactions, and play our part in pursuing the realisation of an open society.