5 July 2013 – 14 July 2013 @ Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building

Synopsis

Playwright Michael Chiang is back with an all-new original theatre production called High Class.

Inspired by the ditzy rom-coms of the ‘50s and ‘60s where aspiring young girls tried their darnedest to snare a filthy-rich husband, High Class is set in modern-day Singapore and revolves around five unexpected Cinderellas and the fairy godmother who hands them a ticket to tai-tai-dom.

This new production by the brains behind much-loved pieces such as Army Daze, Beauty World and Private Parts marks Michael’s first new play in 14 years.

Hailed as Singapore’s most bankable playwright, Michael is best recognized for his wry humour and his shrewd observations of Singapore society and life.

A strong local undercurrent is often found in his plays, and High Class is no exception, with its cheeky dig at high-society tai tais.

The story revolves around the efforts of Alexis, a newly-divorced and super-wealthy socialite, to produce a reality-TV show to find and groom/mentor gorgeous Singapore girls into becoming top tai tais.

Instead, she is sabotaged by her ex-husband and his spiteful lover, and gets saddled with five very unlikely girls.

Find out for yourself how the Queen of tai tais copes with all the tricky setbacks and the unexpected lessons on life she picks up along the way.

Directed by Beatrice Chia-Richmond and produced by Annie Pek, this offbeat comedy will showcase the musical talent of the cast in fun song-and-dance items featuring original new compositions specially written for the play by gifted producer-songwriter Don Richmond.

Stars the likes of Nikki Muller, Andrew Lua, Audrey Luo, Ebi Shankara, Elizabeth Lazan, Kimberly Chan, Mina Kaye, Serena Ho, Shane Mardjuki, Siti Khalijah, Gloria Tan and Timothy Wan.

Playwright: Michael Chiang
Director: Beatrice Chia-Richmond
Producer: Annie Pek

Music Composer/Lyricist: Don Richmond
Choreographer: Jeffrey Tan
Set Designer: Goh Boon Teck
Multi-Media: Casey Lim
Costume Designer: Moe Kasim
Lighting Designer: Dorothy Png
Sound Designer: Shah Tahir
Vocal Coach: Elaine Chan
Hair Design: Ashley Lim
Make-Up: The Makeup Room

Production Stage Manager: Juraidah Rahman
Technical Manager: Christopher Chua
Assistant Stage Manager: Geraldine Ang
Assistant Stage Manager/Props Mistress: Alisa Ang
Wardrobe Mistress: Glenna Ng, Vivianne Koh
Wardrobe Assistant: Wenfang

Video Programmer/Operator: Varian Tan
Master Crew: Goh Jin Kai

Cast:
Nikki Muller
Ebi Shankara
Shane Mardjuki
Timothy Wan
Siti Khalijah
Gloria Tan
Serena Ho
Audrey Luo
Elizabeth Lazan
Jo Tan
Mina Kaye
Andrew Lua
Kimberly Chan
Farhan Bin Hassan
Ferris Yao
Fariz
Gino Babagay
Kay Lee
Magdelene Lee
Tan Sen Cai
Yang Weicheng

(Source: Synopsis from Buttons in the Bread Website and Credits from The Flying Inkpot Website)


credits

Michael Chiang
Playwright
Annie Pek
Producer
Don Richmond
Music Composer, Lyricist
Jeffrey Tan
Choreographer
Goh Boon Teck
Set Designer
Casey Lim
Multimedia Designer
Moe Kasim
Costume Designer

artefacts

High Class (2013), Review
Unreality TV Chiang knows exactly what ingredients are needed to elicit laughs. Fans of Michael Chiang can rest assured - he's still got game. High Class may be Chiang's first play after a whopping 14 years but it's another feel-good, funny crowd-pleaser from the man who has given us some of the most iconic Singapore plays of the Eighties and Nineties: Beauty World, Army Daze, Mixed Signal sand Private Parts. In this light-hearted romp through the lifestyle of the
Naeem Kapadia
Reviewed: 6 July 2013