Joyous, self-aware wink in a celebration of local theatre.

In the midst of SG60, what if we threw Singapore theatre a birthday party? That’s the cheeky, heartfelt premise behind Grand Theft Theatre (Singapore), a new devised performance by Miriam Cheong and Adeeb Fazah, inspired by the original concept of the same name by Australian collective Pony Cam. This work-in-progress draws from interviews with theatre practitioners, arts workers, and everyday audiences to re-stage and reimagine key moments in Singapore’s theatre history. Think theatre trivia, satirical skits, nostalgic monologues, and musical tributes, all wrapped up in the atmosphere of a birthday celebration for our national stage.

Playing at 42 Waterloo Street, itself holding plenty of history with local theatre, the show opens casually, with the performers entering like guests at a party. They gather around a table of snacks, a cake box, chatting, teasing, and slowly letting their personalities shine. It’s a soft start that establishes a warm and familiar tone, one that carries through the next hour of theatre that is as much about honouring the past as it is about imagining the future.

Co-devised by and performed by Miriam Cheong, Adeeb Fazah, Jo Tan, Mitchell Fang, and Shannen Tan, audience members are given goodie bags (yes, actual party packs) complete with nostalgic jelly sweets, bingo cards, and a blank card to write one’s hopes for the future of Singapore theatre. It’s playful, but intentional, emphasising its primary focus on building community that its cast and creators have taken pains to make their audience feel like co-celebrants, not spectators.

From there, Grand Theft Theatre launches into a series of devised scenes, each riffing on some aspect of Singapore theatre’s past. Some segments parody the idea of a “Hall of Fame” and iconic local productions; others offer sincere, moving reflections on why theatre matters. The balance between irreverence and earnestness is finely tuned, and the creators know when to be fun and when to be still.

Jo Tan’s monologue, in particular, is a standout. Delivered with razor-sharp timing and deep emotional intelligence, it’s a moment that grounds the show with real weight. Shannen Tan’s raw, conversational presence adds texture, Miriam and Adeeb Fazah’s heartfelt segment about their early theatre experiences gives the show an emotional centre, with Mitch’s inner energy shining through. All this as proof of just how personal this project is to the team.

Structurally, the show is anchored by a raucous round of theatre bingo and light-hearted trivia, but even within these games, there’s thoughtfulness. Everything, from the performers’ chemistry with each other to their open rapport with the audience, reflects a genuine desire to build something together. Eventually, the birthday cake emerges, and instead of a typical birthday song, the cast offers a musical medley featuring references to classic Singapore productions. It’s a poignant tribute, which feels celebratory, reflective, and totally un-tourable. And that’s the point; Grand Theft Theatre doesn’t try to be universal, instead it’s specific, local, and lovingly aware of its niche as a quintessentially Singaporean production.

The final moments, with bingo winners joining them on the table, the cast inviting the audience to share stories, and wishes for the future, feel almost ritualistic. There’s a sense that something has been marked, not just remembered but recommitted to. As such, as a work-in-progress, Grand Theft Theatre (Singapore) already holds a clear identity: generous, clever, and full of heart. It’s a show made by people who care deeply about this scene, and it invites us, regardless of where we are on our theatre journey, to care too, not just about what’s been done, but what’s still possible.

Grand Theft Theatre (Singapore) (Work-in-Progress Showcase) played from 14th to 15th June 2025 at 42 Waterloo Street Black Box. More information about their process thus far available here