If anyone ever tells you that Singapore’s art scene “cannot make it” when it comes to theatre, you can just redirect them to any one of Wild Rice’s productions. Without fail, Wild Rice would put on a spectacular holiday show, and this year is it’s best ever yet. This year, Wild Rice managed to bring back some legends in the theatre scene, shine the spotlight on some rising young talent, and totally redefine a classic Chinese legend without coming off as over-used.
If you grew up as a Chinese kid in Singapore, you probably would be very familiar with the tale of Madam White Snake (also known as Legend of the White Snake), one of China’s Four Great Folktales that sits right up alongside the other tales of Meng Jiang Nu, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, and The Cowherd and the Weaving Maid (Niulang Zhinü).
Madam White Snake has always been a tale of good and evil, although the evil person seems to alternate between the Snake spirit and her antagonist, the monk Fahai, depending on the version you’re reading. Mama White Snake is Wild Rice’s version of the legend, and a pantomime at that. You can expect loads of good ol’ Singapore humour, a hefty dose of Chinese opera and pop culture references in between. A pantomime is always huge fun, because audience participation is encouraged (yes, it’s normal to break the fourth wall) and it’s pretty much a laughfest for a good two hours. Oh and Mama White Snake in particular? Has loads of puns if that’s something you love. Because we want you to experience the pun-tastic musical firsthand, we’ll try not to reveal too many spoilers!
Glen Goei as Mama White Snake
Two of Singapore’s acting legends take the stage as Mama White Snake and her sidekick, Aunt Green. Glen Goei returns to the stage after 30 years as Mama White Snake, who operates a pharmacy atop of Emei Mountain, together with her sister and her son. Mama White Snake’s son, Meng, is pretty much like every other teenage kid who yearns for freedom. Meng decides to run away from home to learn about life beyond Emei Mountain, but unexpectedly finds himself tricked into allowing Mama White Snake to be captured by a monk, Master Fahai. Considering that Glen Goei is 55 years old, we were surprised to see Mama White Snake easily prancing across the stage, light as a feather and even performing martial arts sequences!
Ivan Heng as cool Aunt Green, who is a secret kung-fu expert
Over now to Ivan Heng, who plays Aunt Green. When Aunt Green wholeheartedly supported Meng on chasing his dreams even though it means running away and upsetting her sister, she won our stamp of approval. Surprisingly, the chemistry between Glen and Ivan is rock solid, as they banter over who is the prettier one out of them two (it’s always the other). The grace that they carry themselves with as the two (beautiful) ladies is something that would take us years of practicing. Oh, and Aunt Green is the epitome of the cool aunt – she’s supportive, drops praises like leaves, and knows kung-fu.
Master Fahai and Lady Ngiao, who run a martial arts school together
The true star of the show has to go to Master/ Monk Fahai. Played by Siti Khalijah Zainal, Master Fahai was equal parts sassy and egoistic, but 100% hilarious. If you weren’t aware, you would have probably thought that a Chinese person was behind that long, white beard, because she is just that good. Siti can now add Chinese monk onto the growing list of characters she can take on, which includes a rapper and a malay makcik. Master Fahai’s lines were all spot-on, full of puns, and delivered with just the right amount of punch that makes you love him even though he appears as one of the antagonists.
Andrew Marko as Meng going against Mimi’s parents, Lady Ngiao and Master Fahai
Andrew Marko and Cheryl Tan make up the younger main cast, starring as Meng and Mimi respectively. These two rising stars have amazing vocal chops, but it’s their duets where they really shine. Andrew’s husky voice and Cheryl’s soprano vibrato bring out the best in each other’s voices. Love reigns strong in this production with tons filial piety and romance as Mimi finds herself falling in love with Meng despite the conflicts between their parents.
Who can forget the adorable children cast? Pantomimes are stages to be enjoyed by everyone in the family, including kids – and there is nothing more heartwarming than watching kids! With a cast of 22 kids who managed to balance school and rehearsals just to put on a performance for us, there is no ending to their cuteness. Sure, the kids are not always in sync and make rather obvious mistakes, but you’ll forgive them in an instant (we know we did). Having a children cast certainly did liven up the mood, which gave the stage a Disney-esque vibe whenever the kids appeared during a song. We’re talking about those classic Disney movies, where the scene changes as the characters run around in fantastical wonderlands.
Whether you are familiar with the legend of Madam White Snake or not, you can’t deny that the entire storyline is quite predictable. The jokes and puns on the other hand are not your usual cringe-y lines that seem to plague most local plays – they are well thought out, and delivered in such a way where you’ll find yourself laughing along. That being said, Mama White Snake is full of family fun and laugh-out-loud moments, and is also a good way to introduce your younger siblings or kids to Chinese folk tales.
Mama White Snake
Date: Now till 16 December 2017
Time: Tue to Sun: 7.30pm, Sat & Sun: 2.30pm
Venue: Drama Center Theatre
Ticket Prices: $45 to $70, available from Sistic
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