“Much Ado About Nothing” Gets a 1960s Singapore Twist: A Must-Watch by The Winter Players

📷Credit: thewinterplayers

Shakespeare in 60s Singapore?

This June, Shakespeare gets a nostalgic twist as The Winter Players return with a lively reimagination of Much Ado About Nothing, set in post-independence 1960s Singapore. Expect local flair, vintage dance moves, and classic Singaporean hits in this charming production that blends comedy, culture, and chaos. With a botanical set, familiar accents, and a soundtrack featuring legends like Rita Chao and The Quests, it’s not just theatre—it’s a time-travel experience!

📷Credit: thewinterplayers

Set against the backdrop of a newly independent Singapore, this version of Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy bursts with vintage fashion, groovy dance moves, and a soundtrack full of iconic local hits by The Quests, Rita Chao, Saloma, and more. Think old-school charm meets timeless drama, where love, mischief, and mistaken identities play out in a world of botanic beauty, vibrant costumes, and infectious energy.

Led by director Marwyn Ho (who also stars as Benedick), the cast features a lineup of rising talents bringing new life to classic characters — all while celebrating local culture through accents, set design, and music that will leave you smiling long after the curtain falls.

📷Credit: thewinterplayers

Whether you’re a literature lover, theatre fan, or just craving something fresh and nostalgic, this production is a heartfelt tribute to Singapore’s golden era and Shakespeare’s enduring brilliance. Don’t miss this perfect blend of humour, history, and heart.

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(Above: Pictured: (From Left to Right), The Artistic Team of The Winter
Players: Associate Artist Feroz J. Malik, Artistic Director Marwyn Ho, Treasurer Wong Shao Qi)

The Winter Players’ selection for SRT’s Resident Company Programme is a significant milestone for this young collective, whose mission is to share their love of classic works with Singapore audiences by exploring, resurrecting, and reinventing international dramatic literature. Following their first two productions — Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus and Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, this residency marks the next step in elevating their ambitions.

“Investing in the next generation has always been a cornerstone of our work,” said Charlotte Nors, Managing Director of SRT. “As a forward-looking theatre company, we felt compelled to step up our support for local theatre and ensure our succession planning was deliberate and
strategic. In 2022 we launched our Resident Company programme, which is based on mentorship, space sponsorship and development of young theatre companies and collectives.”

About The Winter Players:

📷Credit: thewinterplayers

The Winter Players is an emerging Singaporean theatre collective under Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Company-in-Residence Programme. The collective’s mission is to explore, resurrect,
and reinvent great works of international literature.

The collective comprises young Singaporean theatre makers with a deep love for classic works and a desire to share them with Singapore’s audiences. And whilst they entertain, to cultivate a new community and experience that celebrates both the tradition of classic literature and forms, and the dynamic spirit of present day art, theatre, and audiences.

In July 2024, The Winter Players made their professional debut to critical acclaim with a sold-out run of Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, quickly followed by a compelling staging of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler. These successful productions marked significant milestones, fueling their ongoing commitment to create captivating theatre experiences and setting the stage for even more exciting productions to come.

 Event Details at a Glance:

🎟️ Tickets from just $35 — book now at: MuchAdoAboutNothingSG.eventbrite.sg
📍 Venue: SOTA Studio Theatre, 1 Zubir Said Dr
🗓️ Dates: 12–22 June 2025
⏰ Showtimes: 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM | With post-show dialogues on 15 & 22 June