TITOUDAO: THE STORY
Based on the real-life story Mdm Oon Ah Chiam, the play begins in the backstage area of a makeshift Chinese street opera (wayang) stage. It is an organized clutter of elaborate headgear and opera costumes, old-fashioned make-up chests, swords, props and various backdrops. On the stage, wayang performer Ah Chiam begins the story of her struggle to become a renowned street opera star.
Tracing her journey from her poor childhood days in the 1940s to the present day, the play moves between Ah Chiam's flashbacks and the colourful, heroic wayang scenes of Titoudao, a Hokkien street opera role, for which she was highly acclaimed.
THE PLAY WITHIN THE PLAY
In the story of Titoudao, Ti Boon Long and his loyal servant, Titoudao, are dejected from having to make a living from gathering scrap paper for sale. Boon Long's father, a top magistrate, has just passed away, and the once-prosperous Ti family is now in dire straits. However, Boon Long is already betrothed to Teng Lay Kiao, the spoilt and arrogant daughter of the rich Teng family. Out of desperation, Boon Long's mother instructs him to seek financial assistance from the Tengs, so that he can complete his imperial examinations in Beijing.
At the Teng household, Lay Kiao's mother, Diao Si, mistakes Boon Long and Titoudao for beggars. Upon finding out that Boon Long is Lay Kiao's future husband, both mother and daughter deride them and turn them away. Thankfully, Lay Kiao's older step-sister, Teng Swee Lian, comes forward to offer them the help they need to continue their journey.
Cast
Pam Oei
Beatrice Chia-Richmond
Sebastian Tan
Karen Tan
Chua Enlai
Aidli 'Alin' Mosbit
Gordon Choy
Judy Tan
Creative Team
Playwright and Director: Goh Boon Teck
Choreographer: Gordon Choy
Opera Instructors: Tan Li Qi, Gwee Lay Hwa
Set Designer: Wong Chee Wai
Lighting Designer: Dorothy Png
Costume Designer: Moe Kasim
Wig and Hair Designer: Ashley Lim
Makeup Designer: Beno Lim
Musician: Johnson Yee
Production Team
Producer: Annie Pek
Production Manager: Chan Lee Lee
Stage Manager: Cheryl Ho
Assistant Stage Managers: Ben Ong, Toh Lin
Wardrobe Mistress: Joanne Ng
Properties Mistress: Fiona Lim
Dressers: Wong Shu Lin, Joanne-Marie Sim
Lighting Operator: Kala Raman
Sound Operator: Grace Chua
Subtitles Operator: Mei Ling
Crew: Lopez Stacey Millicent Xue Mei, Raquiza Giles Mario
Administrative Team
Marketing Executive: Bryan Teo
Publicist: Sense Asian Media Marketing Pte Ltd
Creative Director and Designer: David Liew
Programme Editor and Writer: Janice Koh
Project Executive and Front of House Manager: Athena Tan
Front of House Officers:
Linxi
Arbella
Xu Xin'en
Stanley Ng
Shander Teo
Danielle Hong
Dawn Lim
Kegan Tan
Michelle Leong
Emily Mallare
(Source: Toy Factory Productions Programme)