Shakespeare and corporate espionage. Hindu Gods and apartment complexes. Get ready for these unlikely pairings and more during the Timeless Tales Family Theatre Fest, where classic cultural epics are “retold with contemporary twists”.
“The fest is for the entire family to enjoy – featuring your favourite stories from English Classics, Indian Epics, Shakespeare, Fairy Tales, all-time hit films and more,” said Shalima Motial, Founder and CEO, Dream Catchers Vision, an online talent company based in Singapore.
The fest is the brainchild of Shalima Motial and Anindita Ghosh, a banker who founded her own theatre company Arclight Productions. The producers have pulled together a multi-ethnic 50-member cast and crew hailing from 15 nationalities – including Singaporean, Chinese, Indian, Malay, British, Australian, French, Thai, Korean, Italian, Irish, Spanish, Taiwanese, American and South African, from reputed theatre groups and acting schools of Singapore.
According to the organisers, the event will fill a void in the Singapore Arts scene, where there are either children’s theatre events that parents unwillingly trudge along to or adult theatre content that they have to leave their children at home to attend. “We decided to launch a theatre fest that the whole family can sit and watch together,” Shalima said. “Whether you’re eight or 80, we have something lined up for you,” she added.
Their own unique takes on classics through the ages are intended to entertain and inspire along with address some pertinent topics like women empowerment, social media addiction, diversity and inclusion, family relationships, love and trust, compassion for the underprivileged, corporate drama etc that are a part of today’s world, the organisers said.
Featuring seven short plays by directors, scriptwriters and actors associated with many of Singapore's reputed theatre houses and acting schools, including Stage Club, Haque Centre of Acting and Creativity HCAC, Singapore Repertory Theatre Young Co and Tamil Theatre Festivals, Wag the Dog, SMActs, Lasalle College of Arts, the theatre fest is being held from January 25-27 at the Black Box, Goodman Arts Centre. Here are the plays to be showcased.
TIMELESS TALES – A FAMILY THEATRE FEST
Venue: Black Box, Goodman Arts Centre, Singapore
Show Dates: 2019 Jan 25 – 8pm, Jan 26 – 4pm and 8pm, Jan 27 – 4pm and 8pm
Oliver with a Twist
Penned by Jane Cafarella – an Australian Playwright & Directed by Susie Penrice Tyrie – A British thespian
Saving Charming – A Musical
Writer-Director Anindita Ghosh weaves an inspiring tale for young girls (& boys) through Music, Dance & Action!
Once Upon a Like – A Musical
A musical presentation by TJ Taylor & Luka Antony of Singapore’s premier Musical Theatre Company Sing’Theatre tackling a pertinent social evil
My Beer Lady
From the studios of Haque Centre of Acting & Creativity HCAC we bring this hilarious tale by Spanish Director Teresa R. Alvarado
O’Hello
Penned by Dreamy Somani – the winner of a writing competition launched by Timeless Tales to promote budding local talent – this tale is directed by Dramatist & Trainer Sonali Mehta
Greater Expectations
An adaptation of our favourite classic by Director Gavin Low – A Singaporean theatre veteran, penned by Jane Cafarella – an Australian Playwright
Puraan Residences
A modern look at ancient relationships with a deep message – Scripted & Directed by Singaporean Indian thespian Hemang Nanda Yadav