This October, Singapore’s Nine Years Theatre is back onstage, and joins forces with Hsing Legend Youth Theatre (the youth wing of Contemporary Legend Theatre from Taiwan) to present Immortal Variables.

Playing at Wild Rice, Funan, Immortal Variables explores an artistic dialogue between traditional arts and contemporary drama, resulting in a modern sci-fi fable set in the near future. This cross-border collaboration has been in the works since 2018, before the pandemic brought it to a halt. Now, the team is finally set to present the Immortal Variables in both Taiwan and Singapore.

Inspired by the rising tension between technology and ethics, Immortal Variables sees a country’s president kidnapped. The plot thickens, with the existence of a system to predict the future through data analysis, technology secretly planted to control human minds, an anti-government organisation and monitored phone calls. Tackling issues such as data privacy, and the ways we are subconsciously influenced by technology and social media, Immortal Variables promises to contain tricks, twists and turns that keep the audience guessing till the end.

Nine Years Theatre co-Artistic Director, as well as Director and Playwright of Immortal Variables Nelson Chia shares: “The basis of technology is humanity. I am fascinated by how a person’s morality, thoughts and lifestyle inform the ways technology will be used.”

Preliminary workshops were held both in Taiwan (2018) and Singapore (2019) where the two companies shared their crafts and learnt from each other. It was through these exchange workshops that Immortal Variables was conceived. The final production has a cast from both Singapore and Taiwan. Singapore actors Mia Chee, Ryan Ang and Ching Shu Yi will be performing alongside young Chinese Opera actors from Taiwan – Howie Chu, Yang Jui-Yu, Eason Lin, Huang Jo-Lin, and Ivy Chen.

The production features stellar designs by designers from both places. The audience will be treated to the intelligent set design by Wong Chee Wai, lighting design by Adrian Tan, original music composed by Vick Low, as well as costume designs by students from the Department of Fashion Design at Shu-Te University Ke Wang Jia-Le and Huang Chih-Hao, as part of their interdisciplinary university-industry collaboration model.

“Immortal Variables is not just an exchange between two groups, but a meaningful coming together of artists from both places. I hope that this collaboration will open up new opportunities for groups or artists from Singapore and Taiwan to work together in a deeper manner, going beyond merely inviting each other’s works to its festivals. I look forward to working with our Taiwan counterparts, and introducing Nine Years Theatre as well as Singapore’s Mandarin theatre to the Taiwanese audience,” said Nelson.

While Nine Years Theatre is committed to cross-border artistic exchanges, the cost of producing an independent cross-border collaboration is high. Hence, Nine Years Theatre initiated a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds. As a gesture of gratitude to the donors, the team will be offering them complimentary tickets to Immortal Variables, autographed programme booklets, as well as premium tea (Tie Guan Yin Autumn Harvest, worth $69.80) from Pek Sin Choon and red wine (Raymond Usseglio Le Peche Originel Sans Soufre 2020, worth $79) from CornerStone Wines.

In line with Nine Years Theatre’s belief that the audience should not merely consume art, but also be offered the opportunity to discuss art, a “Drink and Talk” post-show chat would be held after every performance. Similar to our previous productions, the audience will be invited to chat with us in a casual setting over tea and wine, courtesy of Pek Sin Choon and CornerStone Wines.

Immortal Variables (八仙变数) plays from 6th to 8th October 2023 at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ Wild Rice, Funan. Tickets available from SISTIC

Nine Years Theatre’s popular 9-Fan and Gen-9 membership schemes have returned for Immortal Variables. New 9-Fan members may purchase a one-time Cat 1 ticket at a special price of $48 while existing members get to enjoy a 15% discount. The benefits for Gen-9 Membership Club continue for members aged 16 – 24 years old, who will get to purchase a Cat 1 ticket at $28. 11 Students, National Servicemen (NSF), senior citizens as well as Books Kinokuniya members, PAssion Card holders and HometeamNS members can also enjoy a 10% discount off ticket prices. Tickets are available on all SISTIC outlets and online channels at $35 – $65 (not inclusive of SISTIC charge).

Production Credits:

Director/Playwright: Nelson Chia

Cast: Mia Chee, Ryan Ang,Ching Shu Yi, Howie Chu, Yang Jui-Yu, Eason Lin, Huang Jo-Lin, and Ivy Chen

Set Design: Wong Chee Wai

Lighting Design: Adrian Tan

Music Composition:Vick Low

Costume Design: Ke Wang Jia-Le and Huang Chih-Hao