Woman On Top

One of Singapore theatre's most iconic creations is Emily Gan, the abandoned girl who marries into a rich Peranakan household and becomes its all-powerful matriarch. Written in 1985, Stella Kon's one-woman play Emily Of Emerald Hill has been staged countless times and performed by many actresses. Few, however, have played it with the kind of irreverence that actor Ivan Heng brings to the role. Blending classic melodrama with cross-dressing camp, Heng both honours and satirises the role, breathing new meaning into the play's gender and family politics. Directed by Glen Goei, Emily of Emerald Hill is the first play to be staged at W!ld Rice's brand new theatre at Funan.

Emily of Emerald Hill runs at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre in Funan from Sep 4 to 28. Tickets from Sistic.