Dedicated to providing young audiences with the perfect first live theatre experience, A Little Wild will be creating new and original shows for children aged 5 and up.
“Wild Rice has long been at the forefront of creating theatre for the whole family – our annual holiday musical has become a highlight of Singapore’s arts calendar,” says Ivan Heng, Founding Artistic Director of Wild Rice. “We are proud to expand on that grand tradition with shows designed especially to inspire children today to build the artists and audiences of tomorrow.”
“When I was growing up, the theatre was a magical place for me – it’s where I was inspired to dream and to stay curious about the world around me,” adds Thomas Lim, Wild Rice’s Associate Artistic Director for Youth & Education. “With A Little Wild, we hope to create and share theatrical experiences that will similarly spark moments of wonder and discovery for our young audiences.”
In August, the company will present its first A Little Wild show: The Velveteen Rabbit, which will be adapted for the stage and for Singapore audiences by Lim. This endearing tale about a stuffed toy rabbit that yearns to become real has moved generations of children with its timeless themes of friendship, self-acceptance and what it means to be truly alive.
The production will be directed by Ian Loy, who is well-known in the Singapore theatre scene for his work with young audiences, including multiple productions for the Esplanade under its PLAYtime! children’s theatre series.
This is the first time he will be collaborating with Wild Rice, and he is excited to work on a show that will help young audiences better understand themselves and the world around them.
“I have always passionately believed that theatre can empower children as they grow – providing them with ways to think and talk about challenging situations, from making new friends to the loss of someone close to them,” says Loy. “We hope The Velveteen Rabbit, with its moving message about the power of love, will stimulate meaningful conversations between parents, caregivers and their children. At the same time, they can expect a really fun day out at the theatre – filled with movement, brilliant costumes and stellar live music, this show will be an unforgettable experience!”
Three performances of The Velveteen Rabbit – at 11am on 19, 20 and 26 August 2023 – will be available for public sale. Tickets go on sale from 12 noon on 22 May.
School bookings for all weekday performances – at 9.30 and 11.30am from 14 to 25 August 2023 – can be made by emailing academy@wildrice.com.sg.
