Monkey Goes West (Wild Rice)

Ten years off, and the Monkey King has not calmed down.

Book a weekend matinee and bring the children, but think twice with the very small: Wild Rice's year-end panto is back with songs, comedy, wushu and magic, and it runs about 2 hours 30 minutes including a 15-minute interval. Monkey Goes West, the company's cheeky take on the Chinese classic Journey to the West, returns after a decade in a new production directed by Ivan Heng, at Wild Rice @ Funan from 12 November to 27 December. Book weekends early, especially once the school holidays start in late November.

The story, as the People's Association's onePA listing tells it: orphan Ah Tang runs away from home and lands somewhere very strange, falling in with three travellers on a road full of dangers and trials. It sits in Wild Rice's holiday pantomime tradition, and the company billed it among the returning favourites at its 2026 season launch, alongside new work such as Lucas Hnath's The Christians.

Long memories may recall the original, which premiered at Victoria Theatre in 2014 and returned for an encore at Drama Centre Theatre in 2016, a Singapore-set retelling whose journey ran from Haw Par Villa to Jurong West, written by Alfian Sa'at with music by Elaine Chan. Check the programme to see what has changed for 2026.

With children, the schedule decides it. Matinees are Saturdays at 2.30pm and Sundays at 1.30pm. Evening shows run Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, which at that running time is a late finish for a school-age bedtime, and there are no Monday performances. Wild Rice recommends it for ages 5 and up, and tickets can be bought with SG Culture Pass credits.

It is billed as family-friendly, and a good panto is written for two audiences at once (expect the adults to laugh at different moments from the kids).

Good to know 12 November–27 December 2026 at Wild Rice @ Funan, #04-08 Funan, 107 North Bridge Road (nearest MRT: City Hall). Shows Tue–Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sun 1.30pm; about 2 hours 30 minutes including a 15-minute interval. Recommended for ages 5 and up; SG Culture Pass credits accepted (Wild Rice, checked 13 Nov 2026). Ticket prices are Wild Rice's own (previews 12–14 Nov S$50–S$95; Tue–Thu S$55–S$105; Fri–Sun S$60–S$120; checked 13 Nov 2026) and exclude SISTIC fees.

Monkey Goes West (Wild Rice) | Wild Rice @ Funan, #04-08 Funan, 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore | Nearest MRT: City Hall