Some plays don’t lose their relevance, but become even more necessary with time. This July, Teater Ekamatra revives CHARGED, the acclaimed play by Chong Tze Chien that first sparked conversation when it premiered in 2010. Running from 23 July to 2 August 2026 at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre, Wild Rice @ Funan, the production returns 16 years after its award-winning run, inviting a new generation of audiences to revisit one of Singapore theatre’s most provocative works.

Winner of Best Script at The Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards in 2011, CHARGED has long been regarded as one of Singapore’s defining contemporary plays. Its exploration of race, power and institutional structures remains strikingly relevant today, making this revival feel less like a retrospective and more like a timely conversation.

Set over a single night during Chinese New Year, the story unfolds inside a military camp where a handful of soldiers are left behind on guard duty. What begins as an uneasy shift quickly spirals after the arrival of Corporal Russell Lim, exposing simmering resentments, fractured loyalties and deep-seated tensions. By dawn, lives have been irrevocably changed. As Investigating Officer Victor de Souza reconstructs the night’s events, conflicting testimonies and uncomfortable truths reveal the complexities hidden beneath military discipline.

Directing the revival is acclaimed theatre-maker Mohd Fared Jainal, who also serves as the production’s set designer. Known for his visually compelling and socially engaged works, Fared brings together an accomplished creative team, including lighting designer Adrian Tan and sound designer Safuan Johari, to reimagine the play for contemporary audiences.

The production features an impressive ensemble cast comprising Brendon Fernandez, Irsyad Dawood, Ali Mazrin, Izzul Irfan, Krish Natarajan, Teo Jun Vinh, Serene Chen and Siti Hajar Abdul Gani, many of whom are familiar faces on Singapore’s theatre scene.

The revival also marks a significant moment for playwright Chong Tze Chien, one of Singapore’s most celebrated theatre-makers, who will serve as Festival Director of the Singapore International Festival of Arts from 2026 to 2028. CHARGED remains one of his most enduring works.

Produced by Teater Ekamatra, the award-winning company known for championing diverse voices and socially conscious storytelling, CHARGED continues the organisation’s tradition of presenting bold works that challenge audiences while reflecting contemporary Singaporean experiences.

CHARGED plays from 23rd July to 2nd August 2026 at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre, Wild Rice @ Funan. Tickets available from BookMyShow