Titoudao

From a poor kampong girl to a shining wayang star, “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. Taking on ever-changing roles in her life, Ah Chiam was brought up in a harsh environment and comes from a poor family of 12 children. Born during the Japanese invasion, her father has always suspected Chiam to be the product of a Japanese soldier’s rape and despised her for that.

After working multiple jobs prove insufficient to earn her stay, Ah Chiam made the ultimate sacrifice of joining the famous Sin Sai Hong wayang troupe along with her sister, Ah Dui. Suddenly being entrusted into an unfamiliar world, Ah Chiam must quickly adapt to the rigorous training regime and strict traditions of the wayang school.

Sin Sai Hong would later propel Ah Chiam into stardom and transform her into a celebrity in the wayang world. Her rise in the ranks will also put her up against a rival, Ah Ngor, another star performer in the troupe who will do anything to win a part. Ah Chiam also develops a love triangle with Ah Zai, the son of Master Gwee, and Ah Hock, a pushcart hawker who is also her number fan. With a story that spans over 50 years, the series chronicles the resilience and unbreakable spirit of Madam Oon Ah Chiam in the face of ever-changing adversity and her continual strive to preserve a dying art form.

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, 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, an actress who finds a new calling to continue her father’s Bangsawan legacy. And Vijay, 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