[Review] Dream Academy’s Choo’s Masquerade Party Delivers A Hilarious Buffet Of Soap Opera Antics

Following the success of The Divorce Party, a dinner theatre hit last year focusing on the turbulent Choo family, Dream Academy is inviting everyone back to The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore for another round of glorious dysfunction. Staged in the elegant Atelier Ballroom with tickets prices from $168 (inclusive of a welcome drink and hotel buffet meal), this sequel, Choo’s Masquerade Party: A Buffet of Hidden Agenda, serves up a wild mix of corporate maneuvering, sibling rivalry, and high camp.

Written and directed by Selena Tan with assistance from Sharlene Lim, the production invites attendees to a corporate anniversary celebration where we are encouraged to don silver and gold attire alongside lace masks provided at the door.

While the previous production centered heavily on eldest daughter Phoebe and her romantic troubles, this new installment shifts its gaze to the second daughter, Phillippa Choo. Played with fierce ambition by Eugenia Lee, Phillippa has taken the reins as CEO of the family business, attempting to rebrand their traditional plastic container empire into a sustainable fashion powerhouse called Choo New Plastique. Naturally, this corporate pivot is anything but smooth. It triggers an avalanche of ridiculous family secrets, petty squabbles, and soap opera melodrama that keeps the energy delightfully high from start till end.

Don’t worry if you have not seen The Divorce Party. This second show can be enjoyed as a standalone experience on its own as well.

One of the most noticeable improvements in this iteration is the staging.

Rather than scattering scenes across the entire ballroom, which previously forced the audience to crane our necks or miss crucial moments, the action is now concentrated around a central runway stage. This design choice ensures that every guest gets a clear and unobstructed view of the theatrical fashion parades, musical numbers, and explosive arguments. The momentum is relentless. Even when the narrative threatens to buckle under the weight of multiple sprawling storylines, there is always another visual gag or character barging in to hold your attention.

Sebastian Tan returns in spectacular form as the domineering matriarch Penelope Choo.

Delivering withering insults in both English and Hokkien, Tan commands the room with his impeccable comedic timing and his larger than life presence. Nonetheless, the production thoughtfully distributes its focus across the entire ensemble this time around.

Charmain Ho brings fantastic energy as Phillippa best friend Lilly, while Vernetta Lopez makes an interesting debut as an eccentric fashion designer known as The Phoenix.

Returning favorites like Sharon Sum as Phoebe and Andrew Marko as her ex husband Andy Sim slip comfortably back into their complicated dynamic, adding another layer of comforting familiarity to the madness.

The plot itself is unapologetically chaotic.

It juggles themes of sisterhood, inheritance, and the struggles of escaping parental expectations. Just when you think you have grasped the convoluted family tree, another surprise reveal throws everything off balance. While this abundance of ideas can make the narrative feel slightly disjointed, it well captures the essence of a long running television soap opera drama. If you let go of trying to make logical sense of every revelation, the sheer absurdity of it all becomes wildly entertaining.

Without giving away major plot details, you can look forward to a satisfyingly big, happy family conclusion.

Logistically, the dining experience has seen significant upgrades, with food and drinks served promptly during two well timed breaks. Moving to a buffet format, diners can feast on a fantastic array of local and modern creations.

Live chef stations dish out personalised plates of chicken rice and bowls of laksa, alongside a wide buffert spread featuring mushroom soup, rendang, grilled satay, sandwiches and more.

During the second break, dessert features the likes of bandung choux pastry, traditional ice kacang, Milo Dinosaur buns, fresh fruits and more. You would not leave hungry for sure.

Audience participation is more structured this time round, with the involvement of casual table games and simple stage games. Your name may also get called randomly by the cast to interact and participate in the drama. Don’t worry, it’s all light hearted fun and you won’t be made to do anything excessively embarassing.

Overall, Dream Academy has succeeded in taking everything that worked from their previous production and expanded it into something even more extravagant. The immersive elements, combined with the stellar comedic cast and a completely absurd storyline, make for an unforgettable night out. If you want a perfectly structured, traditional piece of theatre, this might not be for you. However, if you are looking for an evening filled with fabulous costumes, riotous laughter, and a buffet of delicious food, this masquerade is the show for you.

Dream Academy’s Choo’s Masquerade Party: A Buffet of Hidden Agendas is now showing at the Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore from now till 4 October 2026. SG Culture Pass can be used for this show.

[Review] Sebastian Tan Steals the Show in Dream Academy’s Wild Divorce Party Dinner Theatre