Titoudao
Titoudao: Inspired By A True Wayang Star is a series that follows the turbulent and colourful story of a real-life wayang star, Madam Oon Ah Chiam. A celebrated wayang performer who has to take on multiple hardships and challenges in life in order to realize her dreams and find her place in the world.
Ah Chiam (Koe Yeet) comes from a poor family of 12 children. After realising that working multiple jobs isn't earning her enough, Ah Chiam makes the ultimate sacrifice of joining the famous Sin Sai Hong wayang troupe along with her sister, Ah Dui (Tasha Low). Ah Chiam eventually rises to stardom and becomes a celebrity in the wayang world. Her rise in the ranks puts her up against Ah Ngor (Constance Lau), another star performer in the troupe who will do anything to win a part. Ah Chiam also develops a love triangle with Ah Zai (Shawn Thia), the son of Master Gwee, and Ah Hock (Joel Choo), a pushcart hawker who is her number one fan.
In Season 2, the story starts during mid-1969 when Ah Chiam leaves her original troupe (Sin Sai Hong) and agrees to marry Hock. Banished by her troupe followed by her sudden wedding cancellation, Ah Chiam is lost and aimless in life. While searching for a new purpose, Ah Chiam is soon recruited by a new wayang troupe led by the mysterious leader, Suan Jiah (Chen Li Ping), and is inspired to rebuild her wayang career again. Along the way, she finds other individuals who are on a similar journey to bring new life and energy into dying arts. Iffah (Sofia Dendroff), an actress who finds a new calling to continue her father’s Bangsawan legacy, and Vijay (Shrey Bhargava), a filmmaker, who wants to bring new change to the early Singapore film scene.
Awards and Accolades:
2020 Asian Academy Creative Awards National Winners -
Best Original Screenplay: Loh Wan Yu, Yvonne
New York Festival TV and Films 2021 -
Craft Program Category: Best Production Design/Art Direction (Silver)
Asia Content Awards 2021 -
Best Newcomer Actress - Koe Yeet
2023 Asian Academy Creative Awards National Winners –
Best actor in a supporting role: Shrey Bhargava (National winners)
New York Festival TV and Films 2024 -
Craft Promotion/Open & ID – Direction (Bronze)
Craft Promotion/Open & ID – Production Design (Finalist)
Streaming – Streaming Arts & Humanities (Finalist)
Cast: Koe Yeet, Chen Li Ping, Joel Choo, Sofia Dendroff, Shrey Bhargava, Chen Yi Xin, Natalie Chua, Jason Goldwin Chang, Carla D, Noah Yap, Amy J Cheng, Lina Ng
Episodes: 8 x 60 minutes
Languages: Chinese, English
Production year: 2023