This March, The Theatre Practice (Practice) is proud to present The Soldier & His Virtuous Wife, an uproariously hilarious Mandarin musical starring Joanna Dong, MengFM’s Cavin Soh and Ric Liu, and Sugie Phua.
Inspired by the traditional Yuan opera Qiu Hu Flirts With His Wife, this production combines lavish Chinese Opera aesthetics with campy musical theatre flair and cheeky modern references. Expect hijinks, humour and harmonies galore!
Qiu Hu (Cavin Soh) and Mei Ying (Joanna Dong)’s happily ever after is at risk when Qiu Hu is conscripted into the army one day after their wedding! Meanwhile, waiting in the wings is local tyrant Master Li (Ric Liu), who is determined to have Mei Ying marry him instead. Can Mei Ying resist her pesky suitor’s schemes? What happens when Qiu Hu returns home, ten years later? Will the soldier ever be reunited with his virtuous wife?
The Soldier & His Virtuous Wife will be helmed by Practice’s Artistic Director and award-winning musical director Kuo Jian Hong (Lao Jiu: The Musical, If There’re Seasons…, Liao Zhai Rocks!), and will mark Practice’s first musical since its 2019 Shanghai tour of Liao Zhai Rocks!, and first mainstage production since the pandemic.
Originally written by Taiwanese director and actor Lo Pei-An (Greenray Theatre Company), the musical was first staged in 1996 as part of Practice’s anniversary celebrations — making it one of Singapore’s earliest Mandarin musicals. It was later staged again in 1998 and 2008. However, Jian Hong is quick to emphasise that the 2023 revival will contain significant changes.
Joining Jian Hong in this ambitious overhaul is a creative team of theatre veterans including costume designer MAX.TAN (Oiwa – The Ghost Of Yotsuya, Four Horse Road), choreographer Seong Hui Xuan (Liao Zhai Rocks!, Lao Jiu: The Musical), music director August Lum (The Nursery Rhymes Project 3, Four Horse Road), set designer Chen Szu-Feng (Extinction Feast, Lao Jiu: The Musical), and more.
Making his stage debut as Qiu Hu, is television actor and MengFM’s singer, Cavin Soh. The Star Awards winner is a familiar face in showbiz, and has appeared in dozens of film and television works in the past 20 years. Still, he confesses nervousness at tackling his first musical.
Cavin is joined by fellow MengFM member and veteran theatre practitioner Ric Liu, who returns to the world of The Soldier & His Virtuous Wife as the villainous Master Li. Rounding out the trio is Joanna Dong, who will reprise her leading role as Mei Ying.
The Soldier & His Virtuous Wife runs from 30 March to 16 April 2023, with tickets now available on BookMyShow.
*Not inclusive of $4 booking fee
Discounts applicable to CAT 1 and CAT 2 tickets only. Discounts applicable to all shows (excluding preview) unless otherwise stated.
Group Bookings available: Save up to 20%, contact ticketing@practice.org.sg for more details.
Title: The Soldier & His Virtuous Wife
Dates: 30 March – 16 April 2022
Venue: Drama Centre Theatre (National Library Building, 100 Victoria St, #03-01 National Library, Singapore 188064)
Image Courtesy of The Theatre Practice.
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