Makan Culture

Dinner theatre, but make it about hawker food. That’s what Makan Culture, written by award-winning playwright Jo Tan, wants to explore. In this part performance, part culture debate, the lines between what should be defined as “high” culture versus “low” culture are blurred and examined through a very Singaporean lens: food. Presented as a show within a show, the story follows Wilfred, an independent artist who is trying to stage a community dinner theatre production when a snobby culture critic enters the picture to challenge the concept. Can hawker dishes and everyday flavours be seen as luxurious, too? But what makes something atas anyway? For this interactive, outdoor performance, audiences are invited to dine on local dishes – think: rojak, pandan cake, kaya toast and dry laksa – while also taking part in the discussion, alongside the characters.

Directed by Krish Natarajan, Makan Culture features a cast of homegrown talent, starring Fahim Murshed, Ellison Tan, Dennis Sofian and Masturah Oli, alongside Jo Tan herself. The show is part of the 2026 Singapore International Festival of Arts lineup and is held at the Festival Village at the Empress Lawn. For details on show timings, check here.