OIWA – The Ghost of Yotsuya

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.

Production Credits

Creative Team  
Director/Playwright: Chong Tze Chien  
Dramaturg: Mari Boyd
Script Translation: Saoko Ikuno
Set Designer: Wong Chee Wai  
Sound Design & Music Composition: Darren Ng  
Sound System Design: Ctrl Fre@k (Jeffrey Yue)
Lighting Designer: Lim Woan Wen 
Costume Designer: Max Tan
Assistant Costume Designer: Wong Wai Toh
Props Master: Loo An Ni  
Puppetry & Mask Designers & Makers: Ang Hui Bin, Myra Loke, Daniel Sim   
Props Master: Loo An Ni
Puppetry Advisor (Workshop Phase): Yuki Magosaburo

Production Team
Production Manager: Lam Dan Fong 
Technical Manager: Ian Tan 
Stage Manager: Keira Lee
Assistant Stage Managers: Alethea Koh, Auderia Tan
Lighting Programmer: Ctrl Fre@k (Wee Cheng Low)
Sound Operator: Ctrl Fre@k (Lee Yew Jin) 
 Surtitle Operator: Rochelle Edelweiss Boon
Interpreter: Mio Nakano
Wardrobe Manager: Theresa Chan
Dresser: Tiffany Chai
Production Assistant: Ang Hwee Leng
Crew: Ng Bi Yu  

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

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     

AWARDS

The Straits Times Life Theatre Awards 2022

Production of the Year

Best Ensemble

Best Director – Chong Tze Chien

Best Costume – Max Tan

Best Set – Wong Chee Wai