Written by
Martin McDonagh

Directed by
Tracie Pang

Starring
Adrian Pang
Daniel Jenkins
Shane Mardjuki
Andy Tear
Bright Ong
Victoria Mintey
and introducing Prudence Rivero

Shocking, sinister, and so very good…we don’t give star ratings for our theatre reviews, but if we did, Pangdemonium’s The Pillowman gets the full five stars. An extremely potent production that’s compelling, horrifying and funny all at once. Daniel Jenkins gives a meticulous, committed, career-high performance, with excellent support from Adrian Pang, Shane Mardjuki and Andy Tear. The additional casting of Bright Ong, Victoria Mintey and Prudence Rivero takes the play to another level of terror and gruesomeness.

From a technical standpoint, Pangdemonium continues to set the bar higher. Compared to the version presented 10 years ago, the current one is far more accomplished. It boasts gorgeous animation and graphic design by Mojo Studios, wall-to-wall sound design by Darren Ng, immaculate lighting by James Tan, and an ingenious set by Eucien Chia. Tracie Pang proves once again that when it comes to dark, disturbing tales, no theatre director here tells them better than she does.

Once is hard pressed to think of a more technically polished dramatic production in recent months. If you’re a fan of dark tales, you’d be remiss not to watch this.

Chilling, fascinating and stylish, The Pillowman shows the power and draw of a good horror story...The cast is impeccable. Jenkins makes the play as Katurian...Andy Tear is delightful and frightening...Pang and Mardjuki turn humour to tension on a dime, wringing gasps from mouths still open on the last laugh and prompting several cries during the more violent scenes. Eucien Chia's set is versatile and economical.

Working with lighting by James Tan, it changes from a featureless interrogation room to a dank cell and even a forest when need be. Darren Ng's sound and music is a palpable, atmospheric presence, enhanced by slick, stark animation from Mojo Studio…with vicious humour and subtle compassion, The Pillowman quietly expresses the cyclical nature of abuse in what seems to be an ever-deepening, darkening spiral.

Deftly helmed by the indomitable Tracie Pang and an incredible cast and creative team...Adrian Pang and Shane Mardjuki’s onstage chemistry is partly what makes The Pillowman so successful. Mastering their characters, Adrian brought out Tupolski’s snark and Shane brought out Ariel’s violent temperament, always verging on the edge of a full blown assault...it was the power of familial relationships that triumphs in mood over the overarching darkness of the play...

Pangdemonium’s The Pillowman is yet another successful play, a difficult script to stage that would be a much lesser product in the hands of less capable people. But the cast and creative team handle the staging with aplomb, bringing the nightmares of the play to life in all its gruesome detail. There’s sufficient nightmare fuel in The Pillowman to keep you awake all night long, and yet, possesses a tenderness to the tragedy beneath it all that will make audiences ache with emotional pain.

A bloody good way to start off their 2017 season, and a harbinger of more great shows to come.

Tough viewing – but well worth the rapt attention given by the packed audience...The Pangdemonium gang have treated the hardcore script with a flair and vim typical of their work – this is what has helped give the theatre group its well respected name in this town. True to form, lines are delivered snappily, direction is tight, and comedy overtones allow the audience to breathe now and then (even have a really good laugh, at times) as the bleak details of the dark plot unravel.

I was impressed at how the four men held their poise and characters throughout the story... Artful stage direction keeps the audience hooked throughout, and the set, though minimal, was clever and emotive. The cast had our full attention; you could have heard a pin drop. True to Pangdemonium’s core values, it is a worthwhile and masterful piece of drama and earned the cast a standing ovation.

You'd be a fool to miss PANGDEMONIUM's superb revival of Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman. Excellently paced and has one constantly on the edge of one's seat. Tracie Pang is alive to the many tales embedded within the contours of this large tale. She allows the monologues to shine and the sheer power of the words to transport us into another world, and is aided by an astonishing creative team. Eucien Chia's stark, versatile set, James Tan's nuanced lighting and Darren Ng's unnerving soundscapes go a long way in bringing the text to life.

There are strong performances all round. Daniel Jenkins slips into the central role of Katurian like a second skin...Andy Tear turns in the finest performance of the evening, an affecting, endearing and ultimately harrowing piece of acting that haunts one long after the play. Adrian Pang moves effortlessly from flippant to ferocious (and) has the audience eating out of his hand. There is also excellent support by Bright Ong, Victoria Mintey and newcomer Prudence Rivero.

Shock & Awe: Big love to Pangdemonium for putting up such a bold piece. This was my first time watching The Pillowman and I was riveted by the excellent story-telling. It made me think about families, artists' rights, freedom of expression and what kind of world we want our kids to grow up in.

Most of all, it made me grateful that I chose to spend 3.5 hours in such a meaningful way.

Thank you to Pangdemonium for a night of gripping and poignant storytelling. What a story it is! One that demands every actor’s full focus and total stamina! One of the most intriguing and disturbing explorations of our humanity: the purpose of storytelling in today’s world, one that provokes us to consider with care before we decide on what and how we communicate “truths” to our children and the next generation.

Bravo to the pangtastic duo Tracie and Adrian Pang for your heartwork, leadership and vision!!

Pair strong writing with a cast of truly professional veteran actors, and you have a production that moves you, stuns you, and leaves you breathless. Pangdemonium’s The Pillowman was 3 frickin' hours long, but it gripped me from start to end. To Daniel Jenkins, Adrian Pang, Shane Mardjuki & Andy Tear ~ BRAVO!

And to the one never seen but always felt ~ you've done it again, Tracie Pang!

The Pillowman was amazing! Incredibly brave and raw performances, stunning story-telling and the animation was unique and visually moving. Haven't seen anything quite like it before and I'll be following more of your work for sure.

Congratulations and all the best for the rest of the run!

Once again, I'm a proud Pangdemonium Season Ticketholder. They really outdid themselves this time. Amazingly powerful performances & an insanely beautiful set to a killer script.

It’s going to be a kickass 2017 season!

An absolute tour de force - loved every minute of this wonderfully dark and delightful play. Do yourself a favour and go catch it! I cannot recommend it enough!

I escaped for awhile. I escaped from the mundane, hard-to-love-but-nevertheless-must-be-loved mess that is our daily life into a whirlwind.

I was enthralled; not entirely comforted, but hooked. And then, somehow, out of the darkness, the blackest part of humanity, there was hope. Pillowman is great. It really is. Do watch!

I mean this in the very best way: I spent a lot of this show grabbing my face and covering my mouth in response to what I was EXPERIENCING.

And I'd watched the last staging of it. The Pillowman - a great example of the magic and terror that live theatre can evoke.

Congratulations to Adrian Pang, Tracie Pang and the rest of the cast and crew of The Pillowman. This show will traumatize you but also entertain and completely enthrall you. Brilliant acting, fabulous direction.

As expected from a Pangdemonium show, a strong, take-no-prisoners, emotionally-charged and fiercely sharp production. See it now!

I loved all 3 hours of it. I escaped, I was curious, I was me and not me, and if something can do that for me in today’s climate and also leave me with a goodie bag of your stories, and loving one another with determination, and the deadly power of creative acts - I fully believe it is worth your time and money. Go see it. Class act from all involved.

The Pillowman may be what we humans need today. A little darkness to remind us we are capable of creating light.

Starring
Nathan Hartono
Inch Chua
Benjamin Kheng
Tabitha Nauser
Andrew Marko

Written by
Joel Tan

Directed by
Tracie Pang

Starring
Koh Boon Pin
Emil Marwa
Lim Kay Siu
Lok Meng Chue
Karen Tan
Benjamin Chow
Ruzaini Mazani
Dylan Jenkins

In ambition and execution, TANGO is a mesmeric showcase of world-class talent. If you care about being truly human, you would do well to watch it...Joel Tan balances the drama beautifully in a pithy, pacy and elegant script, which is all the more persuasive because he takes digs, not stabs, at the many dilemmas between those who live as they please and others who are not pleased at how they live.

He achieves such balance by showing both sides to every predicament, tenderly stripping away layer upon layer of hypocrisy while leaving hard truths that stick in the craw...Fresh from her triumph as Best Director at this year's Life Theatre Awards, Tracie Pang once again proves how much magic her taut, intuitive trusting direction yields.

Of course, it helps that everyone in her cast not only brings her his best game, but also surpasses himself with a disarmingly natural and nuanced performance…their excellence is matched by the creative team.

TANGO could have checked off ‘balanced’ and ‘art as advocacy’ and been justifiably pleased with itself. For the audience, watching the fine cast and the taut direction would have been an exercise in solidarity and reassurance. Preaching to the choir is easy. Instead, TANGO aims for something riskier, rarer – implicating its audience.

Prejudice and moral judgement are central themes. Joel Tan’s script went beyond the requirements of counter-narratives by developing characters that felt real, not mouthpieces for the greater good.

TANGO evades the curse of the earnest, the blight of the politically correct, the tedious predictability of the social justice warrior (and) holds a mirror up, not only to society at large, but to the socially liberal, inclusive, highly engaged demographic that would have been drawn to this production.

TANGO’s success as an original script hopefully leads to even more great original works from Pangdemonium, who have almost certainly cemented their position as one of, if not the most consistently high-performing theatre companies in Singapore, producing one emotionally charged piece after another.

TANGO is an urgent call to break preconceived notions of homosexuality and the ‘ideal family’, replacing conservative bigotry and hate with mutual respect and understanding for a new set of values that may differ from tradition, but are nonetheless, fully deserving of equal love and acceptance.

Whether you’re gay or straight, a youth or adult, so much of TANGO is felt on a real, relatable level, and touches on issues that affect not just the LGBT community, but every human being.

While TANGO explores and encourages discussions of LGBTQ issues in Singapore, the play is essentially about family.Rather than polarising caricatures, the characters that Tan crafted are ones that you can recognise. You cannot help but be drawn into the narrative. The masterful storytelling is helped by Tracie Pang’s direction.

TANGO is full of life and heart, and it reminds us to think about and care for people, whatever their beliefs.

Earnest, heartfelt drama, methodical and unassuming in its execution, but rich in its impact…Joel Tan’s balanced script (and) meticulous depiction of white- and blue-collar characters, we are made to feel for all aggrieved parties…

Diving headlong into Singapore’s ongoing culture wars with TANGO, it signals a firm direction towards making theatre that tackles topical issues closer to home.

Pangdemonium's TANGO is an honest, complex, and thought-provoking play that holds a mirror up to Singapore society and challenges us to reflect on our "moral values" and what it means to be a “family".

Whether you identify as gay, straight, or simply a human being, you'll empathise with the struggles in each of the characters. Ultimately, no matter the orientation, Tan writes truths we already know, but need someone else to show us: That kindness, love, understanding and acceptance are what we seek within our families and communities.

Playwright Joel Tan gives us a sensitive and incredibly measured portrait of these characters that avoids neat caricature. His characters are flawed and deeply human...Tango is one of the most important works of Singapore theatre to emerge this year and Pangdemonium has crafted a truly inspiring production that is thoughtful, intelligent, urgent and empathetic - a reminder that the personal is, always and inevitably, political.

Please go and watch TANGO. It is truly absolutely brilliant. I know I gush about them every single time but can't get over how consistently good Pangdemonium are every single time. Perfect staging, perfect direction, pitch perfect acting and consistently thought provoking, challenging, content. It's theatre that I never dared to hope that we would have, but we do!!! And I'm just sitting in the bus on the way home trying not cry because I'm so proud.

These guys are everything that is beautiful and good about Singapore and their existence makes me dare to hope. EVERYBODY should watch this.

Pangdemonium and Joel Tan approached this controversial topic with the perfect balance of sensitivity and frankness. I'm so glad that this play brings about an increased awareness of LGBT rights and would get more people talking about such blanketed issues, especially in our increasingly stratified society where understanding and compassion are necessary for everyone to co-exist!! I love how they didn't patronize the non-accepting, but instead, chose to show how both sides are essentially human despite our differences in beliefs, creating more peaceful grounds for everyone to express their views and for greater understanding.

I highly recommend this incredibly relevant and poignant play.

This was a wonderful piece of work by Pangdemonium and Joel Tan. It was a treat to my soul to watch a piece of theatre that's conceptualised and executed with such care and empathy. TANGO is beautifully written, very importantly an original and locally inspired story, with great social relevance, wonderfully executed with just enough ethos, humour and truth.

Congratulations to everyone in TANGO.

Pangdemonium's first local play crosses identities, class, political spectrums, ages, family types. Brilliant use of ensemble and plot to discuss activism and social media engagement.

Poignant script, gorgeous staging and acting!

I haven't watched a play that has moved me to the core as much as TANGO by Pangdemonium. Joel Tan’s masterful writing that takes no sides, and just puts the characters' messy realities at the fore. What could have been just the mundane domestic tensions of a marginalised group become essential, immediate and relevant.

Every plot event feels scarily plausible, because they are firmly rooted in the realities of today's polarised where cultural mis-steps can lead to an all out witch-hunt; where communities can be galvanised because "We Are Against" someone else; where a penguin storybook can divide a nation.

Thank you Tracie and Adrian for staging this important piece. It needs a longer run, or a revival ASAP!

Just wanted to say how amazing TANGO really really was and how affected my friends and I were after the play ended. Stories like these really deserve more attention, especially in Singapore.

My friend brought her mum, and I would like you to know that it’s changed her mum’s perspective on so many things!

I respect a theatre company that's willing to take a risk on a local writer and support his vision. My friends and I were moved by the beauty of the script and the sadness of this reality. The LGBTQ community has a voice in this play and we hear it loud & clear.

Thank you Pangdemonium for this brave production.

Watched Tango tonight and WOW!!! Whilst we are not a 'homosexual' family, there is so much I can relate to as an unwed mom for 15 years in a Singapore/ Asian culture - the shame; being kicked out of the house; Asian values etc...

I will never expect anyone to understand what discrimination from society feels like, but when my son signed AWARE's petition for housing for single parents post Tango production, I know he appreciates the challenges we have grown thru together. Great job Pangdemonium!

What a treat it was to watch such magic unfold on stage at Pangdemonium's TANGO! I was humbly reminded about the true power of theatre, as I laughed & cried with the amazing cast who truly brought this poignant story to life, set against a clever & beautiful set.

Tango reminded me how lucky I am to be surrounded by friends & family who love & support me unconditionally. Unfortunately not everybody in the LGBTQ community has had the same privilege. It is my hope that productions like TANGO will bring about more acceptance.

Thank you, Joel Tan, for telling our story honestly & Tracie Pang & Adrian Pang, for always being friends of the community!

Pangdemonium's TANGO is all about love and family in all forms - some in ways that are socially accepted, and some that might not be yet. I'm in awe of how they are constantly pushing the boundaries of these "sensitive issues”, forcing us to take a hard look at what we deem to be societal norms, and inspiring conversations that need to be happening in our society.

A brilliant effort for their first original play and one we would highly recommend!

Written by
Lisa Kron (Book & Lyrics)
Jeanine Tesori (Music)

Directed by
Tracie Pang

Starring
Adrian Pang
Monique Wilson
Nikki Muller
Elena Wang
Benjamin Kheng
Gail Belmonte
Chloe Choo
Elly Gaskell
Aria Zhang
Damien Weber
Bjorn Haakenson

This show is a runaway hit, to which ever-intuitive director Tracie Pang and her assured cast and crew nailed the fuzzy pains and joys of being a family...As the curtains came down on pages and pages of Bechdel's drawings fluttering down like falling autumn leaves, the cast's frank yet tender portrayals made many in the audience want to hug their fathers for dear life - and perhaps see and accept themselves for the truly unique beings they are.

Pangdemonium’s production of Fun Home is a brilliant adaptation of the show…Elena Wang’s incredibly endearing ingenue...Nikki Muller’s dazzling, heart wrenching performance...Adrian Pang’s brilliant take on an estranged father figure with his own tumultuous, intricate history…Fun Home shows Pangdemonium at the height of their status as one of Singapore’s premiere theatre companies, once again pushing boundaries with their bold choice of play and slick production quality.

Fun Home is a musical that will stun you with its portrayal of a dysfunctional family and growing up different that surprises with countless familiar moments, reaching fever pitch when it hits you hard with its many emotional high points. Undoubtedly one of our top picks of 2017, Fun Home is a must watch for anyone who’s ever felt alone in being different or has gone through a loss, and as always, brims with a big heart and a vital social message that comes perfectly packaged in this relatable and spectacular musical to end off Pangdemonium’s 2017 season.

Fun Home is the hardest musical this review has ever had to watch. Not that it’s bad - on the contrary, it is very, very good. But it’s also tough, raw, intimate, and profoundly sad…so unrelentingly sad sometimes you want to look away - but you don’t because the story is too compact to miss a moment…Pangdemonium's Fun Home, directed by Tracie Pang succeeds in delivering the complex psychological underpinnings of family.

Cast performances are strong and production design is very good…certain small gesture are surprisingly luminous in their humanity...Philip Engleheart deserves special mention for his set design - who’d have thought that a set whose separate platforms can be pushed out and pulled in like drawers of a cabinet, can, at one crucial point, make the audience cry.

You should pay the Bechdel's a visit. It might make it easier to forgive the flaws of your family, and your own.

Brought to us by the proudly Singaporean theatre company, Pangdemonium, the outstanding cast and orchestra has perfectly captured and conveyed the raw emotions felt by the characters. From the purity of father-daughter moments to a poignant closing of regret, the play brought the audience on a journey of self-empowerment and transformative revelations...

Pangdemonium has indeed lived up to their motto and kicked-ass in this theatrical production.

Pangdemonium’s production of the musical delivers joy and despair in a relatable, heart-wrenching story...Medium Alison, played by a brilliantly frenetic Elena Wang...Adrian Pang exercises a controlled precision in his portrayal of Bruce Bechdel...the inimitable Nikki Muller...The word ‘bittersweet’ somehow seems inadequate to describe the truly unique emotion that lingers long after the show.

Fun Home seems to propose the idea that pure humanity lies between happiness and sadness. It succeeds.

Pangdemonium's version of this musical is both tough and tender, a fitting end to a terrific 2017 season...Director Tracie Pang brings together the various narrative threads beautifully and is sensitive to the intimate, deeply personal message that lies at the heart of this musical...There are strong performances all round. Adrian Pang wrenches the soul with a powerful, understated performance. His final, desperate speech has one wiping away tears. Nikki Muller is all strident passion as the narrator…

The real standout is Elena Wang, whose thoroughly engaging solo 'Changing My Major’ is the highlight of the evening...set designer Philip Engleheart delivers once again, with a gorgeous realised version of the home, oozing with period detail...This engaging and deeply affecting production cements Pangdemonium's reputation as a stellar theatrical powerhouse keen on unraveling the mysteries of the human heart, no matter how difficult they may be.

This is an absolute gem of a show. Please don't miss it, it's incredible. Elena Wang and Adrian Pang kill it, as does every single member of this phenomenal cast.

Fun Home, a musical about growing up, coming out, family bonds, finding balance through chaos and finding freedom through self-acceptance...Amazing acting, adorable dance moves, thought-curated lyrics, stunning stage sets. And big shoutout to the talented cast from @pangdemoniumtheatre for such a memorable performance.

So stoked ❣️highly recommended to catch it!!

This is a pitch perfect performance. Hilarious, tragic and profound. Fantastic staging, brilliantly conceived and acted.

My favourite Pangdemonium production so far. Bravo!

Do you ever just look at something for two hours and scream internally the whole time because of how beautiful it is? Because that was Fun Home for me. I’d urge anyone to watch it because it’s an amazing production with a pure and beautiful message.

The wonderful cast of Fun Home did a brilliant job in the staging of this musical in Singapore. I’m so proud that this is locally produced and needless to say, I was moved to tears...just buy a ticket and buckle up for an emotional journey.

Pangdemonium has once again blown me off my feet with their performance of Fun Home. Of all the shows I've watched so far this year, this one really takes the cake. A deeply moving coming of age tale, the performance moved me to tears and had me rocking with laughter during the comedic moments.

Beautiful set, and the cast sang with emotions that was sorely missing from international productions. 10/10 would recommend getting Pangdemonium's 2018 season pass.

Fun Home was emotionally true and delivered wonderfully by a strong and talented cast. All the three Alison's were fantastic! The silences, echoing within the play, were so meaningful and heartbreaking. Adding on to all these, the moving set pieces and lighting were ingeniously conceived.

I am moved, and so blown away by the production. Go watch the play, people. It will expand your heart and your world.

Excellent staging and costumes and beautifully acted. However, the singing was the unexpected highlight- Broadway level confident and polished performances. Go see it.

Wow! And I mean WOW! I have always enjoyed Pangdemonium's work but Fun Home really blew me away. From the fantastic cast (including the amazing Nikki Muller) to the clever sets, and that story line. The fact that Tracie and Adrian Pang brought this to our shores, hats off...this is a must-see.

The message is particularly relevant at this point and time. 5 stars!

Moving and thought provoking, not only about coming out, but also about having the courage to leave your past behind for new beginnings. Pangdemonium, once again, delivers a powerhouse show with a stellar cast. This is not just a lesbian story; it is a tale of hidden tragedies, wasted lives and the courage to stand up for one's beliefs.

Please do yourself a favour and go see it.