It’s not often that a humble local arts company gets recognised for an international award without even realising it, but local immersive company Andsoforth has managed to do just that, by snagging Outstanding Achievement, Immersive Dining Experience (Limited Budget) at the 29th annual THEA Awards, for their immersive dining experience ABSURDITIES Vol. 1 at Restaurant Absurdities.

“Thank you so much for recognising us and our work,” said Andsoforth co-founder Stuart Wee, in his acceptance speech. “Over the last few years, we never really felt we fit in anywhere in Singapore, be it the theatre or the restaurant scene, and this award feels like we’ve finally found our people who understand and appreciate what we do.”

Held at the Disneyland Hotel ballroom in Anaheim, USA, the Gala event saw both Andsoforth founders Stuart Wee and Emily Png present to receive the award. A night of glitz and glamour, the Gala also saw 19 other award recipients, including some of the biggest players in the entertainment industry, such as Universal Studios Beijing, and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. 

Says Emily Png: “Absurdities was born during the pandemic, and I want to thank everyone who believed in us throughout. I want to give a shout out to our chef, Jason Ang, and our scenic designer, Lloyd Chia, and the rest of our team, for always being up for our crazy ideas. I would also like to thank my late father, who taught me it’s ok not to fit into a mould, and for always  pushing me to achieve the impossible.”

The THEA Awards, which were created by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) in 1994, an international non-profit association representing the world’s leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling places and experiences, the prestigious TEA Thea Award is considered one of the greatest honors in the themed experience industry. The Thea Awards honour individuals, projects, and technologies in the arena of themed attractions and experiences worldwide. 

Watching them receive the award, it’s hard not to get emotional, having followed Andsoforth since 2017 and seeing how far they’ve come since. From producing one immersive theatre show after another, surviving and thriving through the pandemic, and starting their own cafe and restaurant, the story of Andsoforth is now opening up to a brand new chapter, one that could possibly take them to international waters and go global.

With the THEA Award, Andsoforth intends to draw more audiences to come down to Singapore to enjoy Restaurant Absurdities and their other immersive experiences for themselves, especially now that travel and international tourism has become the norm. “We hope you’ll be able to come down to Singapore and experience Absurdities for yourself soon,” said Stuart. “And before long, you won’t even have to leave the country, when we bring Absurdities to America.” 

For now though, you can continue to explore and enjoy Andsoforth’s many offerings currently available, from five star immersive theatre experience Around The World In 80 Days, to an out of this world dining experience at Restaurant Absurdities, and see the kind of quality and dedication to immersive experiences that has led to their historic win.

More information about ANDSOFORTH available at https://www.andsoforth.com.sg/. More information and booking information for Restaurant Absurdities available here

Read our review of Restaurant Absurdities here

More information on the THEA Awards here