# Wild Rice Revives Monkey Goes West Musical After Decade-Long Hiatus The beloved Singaporean pantomime returns to Funan featuring original cast members and refreshed choreography. - **Source:** [The Straits Times – Singapore](https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/45bc3477-e4af-41dd-8a5c-621477d6b301 ## A Decade of Absence Wild Rice is bringing back its hit musical Monkey Goes West after a ten-year hiatus. The production runs from November 12 to December 27 at the Wild Rice theatre in Funan. This revival aims to reconnect with a new generation of audiences while maintaining the original story's playful and irreverent spirit. ## Refreshed Artistic Vision Artistic director Ivan Heng confirmed that the 130-minute production features a completely updated script, music, and choreography. While the core narrative remains rooted in the Chinese fantasy classic Journey To The West, the team added modern touches, including occasional dialogue in Teochew, to ensure the performance remains relevant to contemporary Singaporean theatregoers. ## Returning Lead Cast The production reunites original stars Sugie Phua, Chua Enlai, and Siti Khalijah Zainal. Phua reprises his role as the Monkey King, while Chua returns as the flamboyant Princess Iron Fan. The actors noted that the physical demands of the show are more challenging now compared to their performances over a decade ago. ## Youth Talent Integration A significant portion of the cast includes 24 young performers selected from Wild Rice’s First Stage training programme and the Martial House wushu academy. These budding talents are split into two alternating teams, with each child performing in up to 26 shows, continuing the company's long-standing tradition of nurturing young professional artists. ## Intimate Stage Dynamics Unlike previous stagings at the Victoria Theatre or Drama Centre, this production utilizes the intimate thrust stage at Funan. This configuration places the audience on three sides of the action, creating a unique challenge for the actors who must manage complex costumes and large set pieces within a much tighter performance space. ## Themes of Belonging Beyond the spectacle and humour, the musical explores universal themes of courage, friendship, and the search for home. Ivan Heng emphasizes that these emotional pillars are what make the story timeless, allowing the show to resonate with three generations of families who attend the performances together during the holiday season. ## Production Physicality The actors have highlighted the physical toll of the show's intense choreography. Chua Enlai mentioned that rehearsing with his elaborate costume accessories, which he compared to a Chingay float, has been a strenuous experience. Despite the physical challenges, the cast expressed excitement about rediscovering their iconic characters after such a long break. ## Logistics and Access Tickets for the production are priced between $80 and $120, with eligibility for SG Culture Pass credits. The show will not run on Mondays, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day. This revival serves as a major cultural event for the company, marking a significant milestone in their ongoing commitment to local theatre. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/wild-rices-hit-musical-monkey-goes-west-returns-after-10-years-reunites-sugie-phua-chua-enlai — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._