Theatre companies all over the world are streaming the most popular plays and performances online for free – from Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera to the UK's Northern Ballet's critically approved 2016 adaptation of George Orwell's 1984. Similarly, local theatre companies are also entertaining audiences in Singapore with virtual theatre. Wild Rice has been streaming its most beloved shows – Emily of Emerald Hill, Supervision and Monkey Goes West – for free.
Called Wild@Home, the engagement initiative aims to bring together audiences and artists in this age of social distancing. Each title will be streaming on YouTube for one week, starting with Emily of Emerald Hill on April 24 at 7.30 pm, followed by Supervision and Monkey Goes West on May 1 and May 8 respectively. On the last day of each streaming, there'll be live talkback sessions each week.
The last play on the online calendar, Monkey Goes West is written by award-winning writer, poet and playwright Alfian Sa'At. The affectionate and cheeky retelling of the beloved Chinese fantasy classic won 'Production of the Year' at the 2015 Straits Times Life Theatre Awards. Sit back in your living room and join the cast and crew for this epic thrill ride that will take you from Haw Par Villa to Jurong West and immerse yourself in the colourful world filled with mythical monsters and naughty fairies. Watch the show on YouTube and join the playwright, actors, and crew in a live talkback on May 14 at 9 pm.
Wild Rice is also encouraging and empowering the theatre community by running professional development programmes and commissioning new work to be performed in the Studio Theatre. Additionally, aspiring and emerging directors and playwrights can take part in the theatre company's mentorship programmes.
"Thank you so much for your messages of encouragement and support, and especially for your donations at this very challenging time because they will go a long way to securing the livelihoods of the hundreds of people that work with Wild Rice, as well as the future of our theatre," says founding artistic director Ivan Heng.
So grab your loved ones, a glass of champagne and stay wild at home with Wild Rice's most popular plays.
BY DEWI NURJUWITA