Theatre

The Vault: PE*IS

Organised by: Centre 42 and NUS Theatre & Performance Studies
  • Date:
    12 Apr 2025
  • Time:
    2.30pm & 7.30pm
  • Duration:
    1h
  • Venue:
    Black Box, 42 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187951
  • Language:
    English
  • Admission:
    Entry By Donation [Recommended: $20]

Synopsis:

PE*IS is a devised performance responding to Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral.

One of theatre doyen Kuo Pao Kun's most well-known and beloved plays, Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral was first staged in 1995 by TheatreWorks (now T:>Works) as part of the Festival of Asian Performing Arts. Descendants explored the life and times of Admiral Zheng He, the legendary eunuch of China - his infamous castration and his historically renowned maritime expeditions in the 1400s. It drew parallels between his experiences, and the sacrifices made and struggles faced by Singapore's 'cultural orphans' of the 1990s.

In commemoration of the play's 30th anniversary, 2025 sees six students from the National University of Singapore's Theatre & Performance Studies TS3103 Theatre Lab presenting PE*IS, a performance-response that delves into the themes, core issues, and dramaturgy of Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral.

Join us on 12 April at the Black Box, 42 Waterloo Street, to experience this performance-response and take a tumultuous voyage that explores autonomy, identity, and censorship.