Synopsis

With an innovative ensemble of puppeteers and actors, this age-old Japanese ghost story of betrayal and revenge is magically reinvented by Singapore’s The Finger Players.

Based on blood-tingling real-life events and historical figures from the Edo period, the tale of Oiwa – a jilted wife who haunts her murderer – continues to reverberate through its countless adaptations.

Now, one of Singapore’s leading theatre companies The Finger Players retells this timeless tale through an innovative ensemble of puppeteers and actors.

Actors simulate the movements of puppets, while shadowy puppeteers manipulate these human puppets, with techniques inspired from Japanese Bunraku – a traditional form of Japanese puppet theatre.

Witness the scorned and powerful figure of Oiwa and the fearsome scavengers and peasants who commit horrific deeds around her, in this riveting tale of revenge, betrayal and heartbreak.

A legend with a contemporary resonance, Oiwa– The Ghost of Yotsuya promises an enthralling performance with hauntingly beautiful moments that unfold one after another.

OIWA – Digital Content (SIFA v2.020):

Check out the three videos below for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the production.

Watch “The World of OIWA” to learn more about the legendary figure Lady Oiwa, followed by “The Creatives of OIWA”, where the designers take you through their creative process and challenges faced in bringing this haunting tale to life.

Finally, “OIWA – Rites, Rituals and Rumours”, explores the ritual the creative team underwent at Lady Oiwa’s shrine in Japan, as part of their production preparation process.

Playwright, Director and Set Designer
Chong Tze Chien

Dramaturg
Mari Boyd

Script Translation
Saoko Ikuno

Set Designer
Wong Chee Wai

Costume Designer
Max Tan

Assistant Costume Designer
Wong Wai Toh

Sound Design & Music Composition
Darren Ng  

System Sound Designer
Ctrl Fre@k (Jeffrey Yue)

Lighting Designer Lim Woan Wen 

Props Master
Loo An Ni  

Puppetry & Mask Designers & Makers
Ang Hui Bin
Myra Loke
Daniel Sim   

Puppetry Advisor (Workshop Phase)
Yuki Magosaburo

Performers and Puppeteers
Ang Hui Bin 
Myra Loke  
Jean Ng 
Toh Kwee Kee 
Xie Huilin 
Atsushi Hirabuki
Futoshi Moriyama  
Mizue Takeuchi 
Tomohiko Kumagai
Tomomi Yonezu 

Production Manager
Lam Dan Fong

Technical Manager
Ian Tan

Stage Manager
Keira Lee

Assistant Stage Managers
Alethea Koh
Auderia Tan

Sound Operator
Ctrl Fre@k (Lee Yew Jin)

Surtitle Operator
Rochelle Edelweiss Boon 

Lighting Programmer
Ctrl Fre@k (Wee Cheng Low)

Interpreter
Mio Nakano

Wardrobe Manager
Theresa Chan

Dresser
Tiffany Chai

Production Assistant
Ang Hwee Leng

Crew
Ng Bi Yu  

Special Thanks
Singapore International Festival of Arts  
Benson Lim
Ellison Tan
Gan Jiayi
Jing Ng
Juliana Tan
Lina Yu
Nine Years Theatre
Priest Kenro Uematsu
Shawn Chua
Tan Wei Ting
Teater Ekamatra
Youunji Temple 
Yui Terada
Yume Morimoto