THE PERANAKANNyonya Eunice Yap reviews A Tapestry of Peranakan Stories, the second instalment in an ongoing series of short plays, held on Saturday, 1 August 2026 at the Festive Arts Theatre.ย
I was floored.
This is the 2nd instalment of Tapestry @ Our Tampines Hub, with Alvin Tan and Richard Tan as Artistic Directors.
Saedah Samat-Alkaff, the Music Director, composed and arranged all the music, adding much life and soul to the production. The cast had superb chemistry and delivered brilliant performances, while the production team, led by Pepita Ferdinands, was perfectly coordinated, with dazzling sound, lighting and stage management.
We were also treated to an exclusive exhibition by Jackie Sim, a self-taught artist with jaw-dropping designs using manek and cross-stitching techniques. The pieces were intricate and meticulous, showcasing awesome needlework โ a ceremonial wedding collar, decorative wall panel, purse, pouches, ceremonial handkerchiefs and embroidered kerosang!
I truly enjoyed the stories presented โ they were refreshingly poignant, with two emerging playwrights taking different approaches and perspectives on Peranakan culture โ gone are the overbearing grand matriarchs and oppressed daughters-in-law in a toxic household! The Kueh-medy by veteran artists was such a delight and cleverly coordinated with Jackie Pereira โconnectingโ through a video call!
ITEK SIO
Written by: Ryan Ng and Benedict Khoo
Cast: Claire Tan, Shirley Tay, Koh Chieng Mun
In this story, set in the UK, a Singaporean child attempts to recreate her grandmotherโs itek sio, navigating fractured family relationships, disappearing languages, and a fragile chain of translation that slowly reconnects three generations.
And if you are looking for the recipe by Dapor Diva Shirley Tay, you can buy her book at: Dapor Diva: Nyonya Dishes Anyone Can Master by Nyonya Shirley Tay | Babagabra – itโs truly Peranakan dishes, simplified and demystified!
CUCI MULUT
Written by: Kristel Soh
Cast: Shirley Tay, Melissa Sidek, Claire Tan, Elisha Daniel Lee
A young Nyonya brings her Chinese boyfriend home to meet her deeply traditional Peranakan parents for the first time. As she coaches him on household etiquette, both her mother and grandmother quietly fret over her choice of partner.
At dinner, awkward questions, cultural missteps and teasing tensions give way to warmth as his sincerity shines through in his eagerness to try every dish, learn family traditions and speak Baba Malay. Gradually, suspicion softens into acceptance, expressed through generous servings, gentle advice and a parting gift of kueh for his family.
KUIH-MUEH 2.0
A Peranakan Kueh-medy
Written by: Richard Tan and Koh Chieng Mun, developed with the cast through discussions and improvisations
Cast: Melissa Sidek, Koh Chieng Mun, Richard Chia, Jackie Pereira
The Lu-Sal Kuehstry is thriving, but Salmah struggles to keep up with demand while her partner, Lucy, is busy rehearsing for the National Day Parade. Enter the eccentric kueh-lover Wong Shik Kwai, secretly hired by Lucy as a helper. When Salmah catches her photographing their kitchen and recipes, she suspects a spy โ and a hilarious chase ensues.
But the truth reveals an unlikely new business partner with big dreams of taking their traditional kueh to the world. As Salmah defends time-honoured methods and Wong champions innovation, they discover that heritage and modernity can coexist. With chia seeds, laughter and plenty of โHo Kwai Ho Sek!โ, their traditional kueh gets a deliciously modern twist.
The audience had a fabulous time โ it was a gathering of the community, meeting new and old friends, young and old, across different cultures. The stories transcended generations and Tapestry has once again, successfully โbridgeโ the generations through them. I hope they will have more opportunities in the future to tell our stories.
Canโt wait for the next instalment!
The opening programme was attended by guests from the cultural, academic and community sectors, with an opening address by Mr Foo Cexiang, Adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC Grassroots Organisations (Tanjong PagarโTiong Bahru). The evening also included a publication sale, exhibition viewing and guest reception.
Photos contributed by: Alvin Tan, Pepita Ferdinands & Eunice Yap
