Sandaime Richard
Organisation. NIDA
Year: 2023
Sandaime Richard (Richard III) is written by Hideki Noda, described as “the most talented playwright of contemporary Japan.” Singapore director Ong Ken Sen, acclaimed for his bold juxtapositions of Asian Theatre, and the final cohort of NIDA’s acting class 2023, create Noda’s script as a queer extravaganza of comic turns.
Sandaime Richard, inspired by William Shakespeare’s “Richard III” bringing together Shakespeare’s famous plays,’ Richard III’ and “The Merchant of Venice.” It effortlessly parallels the Wars of the Roses in England with the intrigue in an Ikebna clan in Japan.
In this witty satire of power from one of Japan’s most prolific writer-directors, Shakespeare is put on trial for falsifying history and defaming Richard Sandaime (Richard III), the Grand Master of Ikebana.
The playwright will pit his wits against his prosecutor, Maachan. But who is Maachan? And who will win?
With a queer and intercultural layering, this production by Ong Keng Sen will fuse play, parable and performance with subversive glee.
