Sink your teeth into the first-ever Singapore Halloween Double Bill!

Don't miss Shocks & Shiok!, Singapore's first-ever Halloween Double Bill from ACTION Theatre!

Featuring the two finalists from Theatre Idols 2009: Vampire Monologues by Gary Ow and The Patient by Dennis Chew.

Now playing in The Room Upstairs at ACTION Theatre's 42 Waterloo Street till 31 October 2009 only. Hurry!

Please click on the image to enlarge.

Review of "The Patient" (Shocks & Shiok!)

Review of The Patient (part of the Shocks & Shiok! Double Bill) from The Flying Inkpot:

"The Patient is a seriously good piece, centred on a China-born nurse and a haunted hospital patient. It's beautifully suffused with a sense of dread, thanks not only to Dennis Chew's intelligent script but also to the wonderfully ominous sound design of Ningru Guo. Be assured: this one should actually scare you." - Ng Yi-sheng

Interview with the (Happy) Vampires

What's so hard about playing vampires on stage? Who's hotter than Twilight's Edward Cullen?

Actors Claude Girardi (MANHOOD) and Elizabeth Tan (MAMA'S WEDDING) tell us more about VAMPIRE MONOLOGUES, one of the two plays in ACTION Theatre's SHOCKS & SHIOK!, a funny and spooky double bill playing in The Room Upstairs at 42 Waterloo Street from 22 Oct till 1 Nov 2009.

As we chat with the two charismatic and jovial actors, they try their darnest not to turn us into their dinner!

How would you describe VAMPIRE MONOLOGUES, the play both of you are appearing in?

Elizabeth: It's a hilarious comedy about a bartender who willingly lets himself be "converted" into a vampire so he can posses "extremely powerful vampiric powers" and become a top standup comedian!
Claude: It's a whole lot of gasps, laughs, fangs, bangs, frights and delights in a tight 40-minute package!

Who should come to see VAMPIRE MONOLOGUES and why?

C: Everyone - but most importantly those who need to escape the drain of the 9 to 5 work routine and have an unexpected laugh out loud. Muah ha ha ha hahahahahhahhaha!
E: Bring the family! And people on first dates. The scream factor would get your partner holding on to you.

What are some of the scenes the audience should look out for in the play?

C: All of them, but specifically look out for any scene involving the deliciously sexy vamp Mary played by Elizabeth 'BOO' Tan.
E: Hey! Don't tell them too much!

Without any prejudice, who do you think looks 'hotter' as a vampire? Twilight's Edward Cullen or you?

C: No prejudice of course, but I think my fangs are 'sharper'!

What are the challenges you've faced, playing the role of a very hot female vampire?
E: Understanding the lifestyle of a vampire. It might seem glamorous and powerful but it is not an easy life. You can't go out in the day. You don't have many friends. You live for centuries. You even have to beware of tooth decay!

How do you like portraying the role of "Victor" the vampire?

C: FANG-TASTIC! Its the best way to sum up how much fun this role has been! However, every role comes with it's challenges. Victor in particular involves the challenge of trying to talk and wear prosthetic teeth simultaneously, 3 hours of waiting as make up is being applied and not forgetting trying to go to the toilet with a cape on!

Given a chance, would you exchange your human life for a vampire's? And why?

C: Sure. I work in theatre so i already barely see the light of day and work nights! Perfect! But can I substitute the blood for Ribenna instead?
E: No, I'd appreciate some wrinkles and growing old. Plus I don't think I could hang around forever whilst my loved ones disappear. And I always preferred a tan.

In three words, what do you think the audience would feel after watching VAMPIRE MONOLOGUES?
E: Vampires are (actually) Nice.
C: A deep thirst! Muah ha ha ha hahahahaha!

Vampire Monologues by web developer Gary Ow is now playing as part of SHOCKS & SHIOK! which also features another play THE PATIENT by Dennis Chew. The play also stars Crispian Chan (THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST) and is directed by Samantha Scott-Blackhall. Performance Dates: 22 Oct till 1 November 2009, 8pm daily (except Mon) plus 10.30pm on Fri & Sat. Special discounts for Youth below 24. Click here for more show details or to book tickets online 24 hours. Phone enquiries: SISTIC +65 6348-5555.

World Premiere of Manhood (09.09.09)

A Must-See Play For
All Men & Women Who Love Them!

The highly anticipated new play from one of Singapore's most celebrated writers will have its world premiere from 9 to 19 September 2009 by ACTION Theatre.

MANHOOD by Desmond Sim, award-winning playwright of AUTUMN TOMYAM and co-screenwriter of BEAUTIFUL BOXER is this year's most revealing dramedy about being a man and living with IT.

Directed by Life! Theatre Award winner and ACTION Theatre's Resident Director Samantha Scott-Blackhall, MANHOOD is the must-see play for all men and women who love them!

Frank! Fresh! Funny! Witty!

This fresh, funny, witty and at times very moving play weaves together many fascinating tales about a whole gamut of men, their manhood and what they rarely discuss with women!

Peep into men's locker rooms to see and hear what they really talk about themselves, their women and their prized possession! Join three couples as they view, discuss and dissect three of the world's most famous "men": Michelangelo's David, Rodin's The Thinker and The Greek Discus Thrower.

Eavesdrop on a hilarious conversation between two very eligible professionals at their first date. Discover how three bridesmaids deal with the bride who suddenly has cold feet about marrying her "metrosexual" husband-to-be.

Let men who try their darnest in this day and age to be good fathers, good husbands and... just good men tell you their frank stories. Plus, many more illuminating tales to let you understand men, what they always come equipped with and what they always forget to bring!

The Cast of MANHOOD

Join three of Singapore's most talented actors and an extremely versatile actress who will play multiple roles of many gender permutations!

See Lim Yu-Beng (ANIMAL FARM, DOUBT) like you've never seen before! Let Claude Girardi (REAL MEN, FAKE ORGASMS) take you on a wild ride! Join Dwayne Tan (SNOW WHITE, BEAUTY WORLD) on his many unexpected journeys! And be dazzled by Jo Tan (OFF CENTRE, SCROOGE!), the only rose among the macho thorns!

Grab your MANHOOD tickets now! Hurry! MANHOOD will play in The Room Upstairs at ACTION Theatre's 42 Waterloo Street from 9 to 19 September 2009. 8pm daily plus 3pm on Sat & Sun. No performance on Mon.

Tickets at $35 to $45 are available through SISTIC Hotline +65 6348-5555 (Mon-Sat: 10am-10pm; Sun & Public Holidays: 12pm-8pm) and all SISTIC Authorized Agents. Or book online 24 hours here.

MANHOOD is part of REVELATIONS, ACTION Theatre's exciting new 2009/10 season. Artistic Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham. Resident Director: Samantha Scott-Blackhall.

The world premiere production of MANHOOD by ACTION Theatre is made with support from National Arts Council, Arts Fund, Cosmoprof Makeup Academy, Trevvy, Lightspeed Technologies and Rodyk & Davidson.

Meet the Playwright of Manhood

Award-winning Singapore playwright Desmond Sim has written more than 30 plays in his illustrious career. His latest full-length piece MANHOOD may be his most revealing yet.

The frank, funny, witty and at times very moving dramedy will have its world premiere on the 9th of September 2009 in The Room Upstairs at ACTION Theatre's 42 Waterloo Street in Singapore.

Click image to read more about "Dissecting Desmond's Manhood"! To book tickets to Manhood, please click here or call SISTIC Hotline at +65 6348-5555.

Tickets to "Manhood" are now on sale!

The most anticipated play from Singapore's most celebrated playwright is here!

"Manhood" by award-winning writer Desmond Sim (Autumn Tomyam) will receive its world premiere staging by ACTION Theatre as part of the company's new season Revelations in September 2009.

Starring Lim Yu-Beng, Claude Girardi, Dwayne Tan and Jo Tan, this revealing comedy about what it means to be a man and living with IT is a must-see for all sensitive women and confident men.

Directed by award-winning director Samantha Scott-Blackhall and produced by ACTION Theatre's artistic director Ekachai Uekrongtham.

Opens 09.09.09 in The Room Upstairs @ ACTION Theatre's 42 Waterloo Street in Singapore. Tickets are now on sale at SISTIC. Hotline +65 6348-5555. For more details or to book online 24 hours, please click here.

The Buzz on Singapore's Streetwalkers

Glowing reviews continue to pour in for "Streetwalkers".

Please click the image to read more.

"Streetwalkers" is playing till this Sun 9 August 2009 only in The Room Upstairs at ACTION Theatre's 42 Waterloo Street. Season cannot be extended so please hurry.

Book your tickets at SISTIC Hotline +65 6348-5555 or online 24 hours here.

Tickets are also available at all SISTIC Authorized Agents.

"Streetwalkers Triumphs!" - Life! The Straits Times (Singapore)

The review of Streetwalkers came out in The Straits Times, Life! today.

Click on the image to enlarge.

If you have not seen the play, grab your tickets today! Streetwalkers is playing till Sunday 9 August 2009 only. Season cannot be extended.

Call SISTIC Hotline now at Tel +65 6348-5555 or book online 24 hours now!

Who's Who in the Cast and Crew of "Streetwalkers"

ACTION Theatre

presents

STREETWALKERS

written by YAK AIK WEE
starring LIM SIAUW CHONG as Gilbert

DAVID LEONG as Gerald

CONAN CHOONG as Ben
directed by SAMANTHA SCOTT-BLACKHALL
produced by EKACHAI UEKRONGTHAM

set designer HELLA CHAN

lighting designer ISKANDER ABORI

sound designer CHIA JONG YENG

multimedia designer ELGIN HO

production manager YANTI SUZANI SABIREN

production coordinator SRI ASTUTY SUBARI

stage manager HEZAN ROSLI

make-up artist COSMOPROF MAKEUP ACADEMY

lighting operator CYNTHIA HAN

sound operator MANOJ KUMAR

set assistant JUNE WONG

multimedia assistants NICOLE MIDORI WOODFORD

JONATHAN GOH NASRUL OMAR

multimedia operators QAMARUL IMAN

MD ZAKARIA HANSEL GOH

stage/props/costume assistant MD ROSMAN

admin support MASLINDAH ABDUL MAJID

Who wrote Streetwalkers?

His name is Yak Aik Wee. The young man who penned the award-winning play "Streetwalkers" is a multi-disciplinary artist born and based in Singapore. His work covers music composition, sound design, dance as well as theatre performances.

"Streetwalkers" won the Best New Play Award from Theatre Idols 2009, a competition of new writings presented and organized by ACTION Theatre. The play was originally inspired by the Duck Den Murder and happenings in Chinatown’s Ann Siang Hill.

Aik Wee is also a participant of the TheatreWorks' Writers' Lab Greenhouse, facilitated by Dr Robin Loon. He has completed the National Arts Council's Mentor Access Project (MAP) 2007, a writer-mentorship programme during which he was mentored by playwright Tan Tarn How.

Aik Wee has also written Lester's List, which was staged in Sydney (Short & Sweet Sydney 2009, Top 100) and Singapore (Short & Sweet Singapore 2007, Top 20). In addition, he’s written and directed Live The Singapore Dream and Trash Town, produced by Creative Tree Productions. These plays are currently being staged in local primary and secondary schools across Singapore.

Here's his Playwright's Message for the world premiere staging of "Streetwalkers" by ACTION Theatre:

When do people decide if someone cannot be their friend, simply because of differences in values, perspectives and lifestyles? How different is “too different”? And will these differences cause people to remain irreconcilable, in spite of their shared basic human needs?

In society, differences segregate but similarities unite. This is a play about people and their relationships. I hope you enjoy.

My gratitude to ACTION Theatre and the voting audience at Theatre Idols 2009 for this opportunity to share my work. Thanks to Jeremy Lee, Loong Seng Onn, Desmond Sim, Jeffrey Tan, Tan Tarn How, Ekachai Uekrongtham and my friends and family and for their support, critique and feedback.

Thanks also to the director, cast, designers, technical support crew and administrators for this production of Streetwalkers, for making this production transcend beyond mere words on paper.