Theatre Titans
Wild Rice raises critical funds at Maskquerade!: The Virtual Rice Ball 2020
For the first time since theatres in Singapore were closed in March, the lights at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre shone brightly on October 3 for Maskquerade!: The Virtual Rice Ball 2020. But this annual fundraising gala of theatre company Wild Rice was unlike any other.
For one, the ball, which is into its 19th edition this year, was streamed live online from Wild Rice @ Funan into the homes of 500 guests around the world, from Singapore to the UK. Exquisite meals from the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants
Odette and Braci, as well as The Ritz-carlton, Millenia Singapore, Three Embers and Opio Kitchen & Bar were also delivered to the homes of guests, who held their own intimate parties at home, social distancing measures permitted.
“I never thought we would produce a show like this,” said Wild Rice founding artistic director Ivan Heng. “But we are always ready to push the envelope and rise to the challenge.” With the generous support of its donors and patrons, the over $660,000 raised from “table sales”, donations and
the evening’s silent auction will enable the company to continue to provide a home for Singapore theatre.
And what is a Rice Ball without the musical numbers from Wild Rice’s fabulous repertoire—some with their lyrics updated to reflect current times—and laugh-out-loud comedy sketches in a show directed by co-artistic director Glen Goei, and theatre actressdirector Pam Oei, who was also the host for the evening. The concert ended on a note of optimism with the company’s performance of renowned local composer, the late Zubir Said’s Semoga Bahagia.
Wild Rice @ Funan is set to reopen this month with An Actress Prepares, a one-woman show starring Siti Khalijah Zainal, in a love letter to Singapore theatre.