The Main Wayang Company was formed in 2004 as Singapore’s first professional Peranakan cultural arts & community theatre company with its focus on promoting the Baba Nyonya culture through shows, music and events. It has made significant contribution to the preservation, creative development and progressive promotion of the Peranakan Culture in Singapore.
Main Wayang’s innovative style of modern, cutting-edge ways, has brought about a steady cultural revival and relevance to today’s fast-paced society, yet retaining much of our true traditional heritage at heart.
Main Wayang has a group of dedicated performers who share the same vision with the company in providing exciting Peranakan shows including the senior members in the Main Wayang Rhapsody, the adorable children in Anak Anak Wayang, the youths in Main Wayang Minstrels and the professional performers in Main Wayang Singers.
One of Main Wayang’s signature strengths is its expertise in staging professional and entertaining shows, concerts and musical plays like Bibiks Go Broadway!, Bibiks in Parliament!, Baba Nyonya Mari Go Round!, Bibiks in Parliament, Siapa Baba? and Malam Newstalgia! The shows are always well received and supported at the various theatre venues in Singapore.
To date, Main Wayang has produced 4 music CD albums including The best of Peranakan Tunes, Mari Jolly Jolly, It’s time for Sayang Sayang and Baba Nyonya Newstalgia. These music compilations bring a new lease of life to old folk tunes and introduces original songs that are truly Peranakan in the use of the Baba patois language.
With the Peranakan Culture enjoying a cultural renaissance, Main Wayang is in the forefront, taking the lead to produce educational outreachprogrammes to schools, organize ‘Toa Seh Jit’ birthdays & Baba wedding parties, stage heartland community shows and raise funds for charitable organisations. Main Wayang has regular shows at corporate events, ranging from themed dinners to product launches for all to revel and enjoy!
Main Wayang has participated in local mega events such as the Chingay Parade in 2006 & 2010, the National Day Parade in 2009, the Singapore Arts Festival and the Opening ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games. It has also travelled around the world in promoting the cultureincluding shows and performances in Malacca and Penang, the World Expo in Aichi Japan, the ASEAN-Japan fair in Kagoshima, the ASEAN-Korea fair in Seoul and Baba Bling in Paris, France with more plans to share the beauty and colour of the Peranakan culture to the world.
It is the company’s aim to keep the culture relevant to today’s society and it engages the young and the young at heart with its website and connecting with people through the social media. It has a strong following of ‘kakis’ and ‘kawans’ who are constantly in touch and updated on the company’s shows and activities.
It has made an impact in the region and beyond with its exciting Peranakan programmes as it continues to engage other Peranakan organisations in fostering warm relations. The Main Wayang Company plans to continue its efforts in promoting the Baba Nyonya Culture with more shows, music and events as it brings the Peranakan Culture to greater heights.