This Singaporean spin on the classic tale strips away pretence and serves up flag-waving fun, cheeky satire, and show tunes you'll be humming after curtain call.
I’ll be honest: as a two-year veteran of Wild Rice’s year-end pantos (Snow White and Wizard of Oz, both absolute delights), I had my doubts when I heard this year’s pick was The Emperor’s New Clothes. It’d been ages since I’d revisited that particular tale, and I wasn’t sure it would hit the same way. Spoiler alert: the moment I stepped into the theatre, every shred of hesitation vanished.
Before the show even started, ushers handed out sets of coloured flags to the audience, a hint of the interactive chaos to come. And yes, we absolutely used them. We got to wave the flags like we were part of a national moment (they even made us do the Kallang wave in the theatre). And honestly? It works. The kids stay engaged, adults embrace the silliness, and suddenly we’re part of one big, joyful theatrical party.
Details at a glance
Show dates: 13 November to 21 December 2025, Weekdays at 7.30pm; Saturdays at 2.30pm and 7.30pm; Sundays at 1.30pm and 6.30pm
Ticket price: $45 to $105 (excluding booking fee), book here
Venue: Wild Rice @ Funan, Level 4, 107 North Bridge Road Singapore 179105
A timeless tale gets a very Singaporean glow-up
Most of us are familiar with the tale – a vain Emperor, two righteous tailors (played by Izzul Irfan and Rino Junior John), and invisible clothes that lead to public humiliation. Wild Rice’s interpretation gives it a very Singaporean glow-up, complete with cheeky satire, big musical energy, and a story that still resonates without being preachy.
Hossan Leong as The Emperor absolutely carries the show, and if you know the plot, you’ll know why this role requires a huge commitment. I’ll keep it spoiler-free, but let’s just say you don’t need a new outfit to command a room. You need presence, which is what Leong delivered.
Then there’s Audrey Luo as The Empress, who brings humour in a way that feels deliciously local. Random bursts of Chinese lines like those classic Channel 8 drama vibes scream “long-suffering neglected spouse”. It’s the kind of character work that millennials can identify immediately, while kids enjoy the larger-than-life reactions.
Political satire that kids and adults can enjoy
The play sneaks in grown-up satire through a “Garment Election” (yes, really) that mirrors the vibe of a general election, plus a cheeky nod to our local political meme culture with the song, “I Look Left Look Right”, performed by Sugie Phua, who plays the role of The Emperor’s right-hand man. It’s lighthearted, silly, and oddly brilliant as a gateway to big themes like honesty, conformity, and speaking up.
The show trusts its audience to get the jokes at whatever level they’re ready for, which is refreshingly smart for family entertainment.
The soundtrack deserves a spot in your Spotify playlist
The songs are genuinely enjoyable and easy to listen to. If you’re the type who’s obsessed with show tunes, you’ll be thrilled to know the cast recording is available to stream on Spotify too.
One of my favourite songs was “Make It Rain”, performed by Izzul Irfan and Rino Junior John. The song felt like pure musical theatre adrenaline and even includes a tap dance segment. Another song I genuinely enjoyed was the emotional ballad, “Perhaps”, performed by Hossan Leong and Audrey Luo. It adds heart to the show when you least expect it.
There’s also a pop culture moment to the Grammy-nominated Kpop Demon Hunters (yes, you read that right), which perfectly captures this show’s vibe: wholesome, satirical, and un-serious when it needs to be.
The verdict: Dress up and show up
If you’re looking for a family-friendly show that doesn’t bore the adults, interactive bits that keep the kids excited, genuinely funny local references, and a performance that makes the whole production pop, this is your sign to put it on your festive calendar.
