Hearty family comedy-drama that strikes a chord with retirees and its discussion of existential issues.

Taiwan’s Greenray Theatre Company presents Human Condition VIII as part of the Esplanade’s Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, and delivers a heartwarming, humorous, and at times bittersweet glimpse into the often-overlooked struggles of retirees. Written and directed by award-winning Taiwanese artist Wu Nien-Jen, this Singapore premiere brings the latest installment of Wu’s beloved theatrical series to life, and proves that the human condition is, indeed, universal.

The story follows Mingcan (Chen Hsi-sheng), a seventy-year old man grappling with feelings of uselessness in his retirement, leaving him to navigate his monotonous days with little sense of purpose. From visits to the urologist to struggling during a Zumba class, a sudden lottery windfall seems to completely change his fates for the better, and restores his value in the eyes of his family. But the question remains – how much is he really cherished by his family, or are they just out to get their share of the fortune?

Despite playwright Wu’s initial concerns that Singaporean audiences might struggle with the cultural nuances, the humour and emotions transcend borders. The family dynamics, delivered in a lively blend of Mandarin and Taiwanese Hokkien, feel authentic and relatable. The comedic timing, physical humour, and melodramatic delivery keep the audience entertained, even when the script occasionally stretches scenes for laughs. Balancing lighthearted comedy with a poignant exploration of aging, masculinity, and self-worth, all of which would be familiar to a Singaporean audience, it gently reminds us that retirement doesn’t always bring freedom, and the search for meaning persists beyond our working years.

Throughout the play, Zeng Su Ming’s set design is deserving of praise for its creativity and functionality. Comprising several different scenarios, including the family home, a police station, hospital waiting room, lottery shop, and fitness studio are all depicted with realistic detail, with the home in particular rotating to offer fresh perspectives on familiar spaces. This adds a dynamic visual layer to the production, where details right down to the bedroom storage, the slight slant of the rooms to give it a three-dimensional effect, or even the imposing height of the police station all aid in boosting the atmosphere and filling the huge space of the Esplanade Theatre.

Central to the play’s success is the performance by Chen Hsi-sheng, a total delight as the hapless yet resilient Mingcan. His self-deprecating charm and impeccable comedic instincts anchor the production. From his humiliating Zumba class mishap to an unfortunate brush with the law, Chen breathes life into a character who, despite his misfortunes, maintains a quiet dignity and optimism, even while exaggerating every action and reaction. It often feels as if he is the butt of a divine joke, doomed to live out the rest of his life at the mercy of his fearsome wife and being pestered by his son and daughter-in-law for money, but still maintains an admirable sense of honour, valuing the sanctity of family above all else, no matter how jaded. There is an earnestness to his fourth-wall breaking asides that help you understand where he’s coming from, a ship adrift at sea as he searches for purpose and joy that always seems just out of his grasp, balancing both heart and humour perfectly.

Supporting performances also shine in their own right— Wang Chuan, as Mingcan’s wife, showcases plenty of wit and sarcasm at the ready, crushing Mingcan constantly with her retorts or fearsome command, and even getting a chance to show off more physical comedy with a ‘magic show’ towards the end of the play. As Mingcan’s son and daughter-in-law, Sam Yang and Crystal Lin, both respected artists in their own right, bring plenty of comic relief as they scheme to get a bigger share of the jackpot, or continue to reel from bad investments, both holding strong stage chemistry together. Finally, dreadlocked performer Frog as Mingcan’s teenage grandson, who electrifies the stage with his unexpected rap performance at seemingly inappropriate moments. Whenever the entire family is onstage together, whether celebrating Mingcan’s birthday or waiting to see how they’ll split the lottery winnings with bated breath, the entire stage lights up, and kudos goes to director Wu for ensuring everyone gets equal time in the spotlight.

The remainder of the ensemble is also a delight onstage, providing the numbers to make each scene feel more realistic and lively. Chiming in with jokes at just the right time, they provide plenty of banter and easily play off against Mingcan, whether it’s an old friend or a policeman who can’t hold a friendly conversation to save his life. That being said, there are times some scenes overstay their welcome, and occasional self-indulgent moments—such as not one but two cameos by Greenray founders Wu Nien-jen and Ko I-Cheng—veer into sitcom territory where you’re almost waiting for the laugh track. These digressions, while amusing, occasionally dilute the narrative’s emotional core with their pacing.

Nevertheless, Human Condition VIII succeeds in its mission to present a delightful, family-friendly production with laughs and life lessons to spare, resonating deeply with older audiences while entertaining all. Even if it doesn’t conclude with a typical happy ending, it leaves audiences grounded and satisfied, that there are no easy solutions, and that happiness is what we make of it, not necessarily determined by the number of dollars in our bank account (although that would certainly help). In essence, Wu Nien-jen’s latest chapter affirms his enduring ability to hold up a mirror to everyday life—with all its absurdities, joys, and sorrows, and is always welcome to bring future editions of the series back to Singapore to entertain, move and charm us once more.

Photos by Tsai Yuhao, courtesy of Greenray Theatre Company

Human Condition VIII plays from 15th to 16th February 2025 at the Esplanade Theatre. Tickets and more information available here

Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2025 runs from 7th to 16th February 2025 at the Esplanade. Tickets and full programme available here

Production Credits:

Director / Playwright Wu Nien-jen Executive Director Denny Wu Produced by Greenray Inc. Cast Chen Hsi-sheng, Wang Chuan, Yang Li-yin, Sam Yang, Crystal Lin, Frog, Wu Shih-wei, Lee Ming-tse, Zhu You-lin, Chen Chun-cheng, Wang Ya-ping, Lin Hsiu-chin, Hsu Chia-wei (Gary), Song Yi-shan Special appearance Wu Nien-jen, Ko I-cheng Lighting Designer Lee Chun-yu Stage Designer Zeng Su Ming Music Design Nieh Ling Costume Design Chen Wen Liang Stage Manager Chung Chung-jen (Kevin) Technical Manager Lee Hung-chan Movement Designer Zhu You-lin