Raffles Hotel Singapore together with Double Confirm Productions and Sight Lines Entertainment are delighted to jointly announce the upcoming 1st April release of 'The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure', an enthralling detective whodunnit tale and the first-of-its-kind virtual interactive play set against the backdrop of the iconic Grand Dame of Singapore.  From 1 April to 30 June 2021, guests may investigate the mystery through pure virtual gameplay, or live and breathe the adventure through exclusive experiences on-site or during their stay at the storied hotel.

Written by award-winning playwright Jean Tay and directed by critically acclaimed actor/director Hossan Leong, 'The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure' immerses audiences into the role of a detective tasked to investigate the missing Peranakan treasure – the crown jewel of the fictional “Treasures of the Straits” exhibition at the Raffles Hotel Singapore. In this highly interactive virtual format, audiences will explore the hotel's historic grounds and venture through its illustrious halls, all the while piecing clues together, and deciding how the story unfolds.

Filmed entirely on location at Raffles Hotel Singapore with 360-degree virtual reality (VR) cameras, 'The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure” offers participants a unique virtual experience through immersive 360-degree views, surround sound, augmented reality choice-based functions, and an intriguing plot filled with unexpected twists and turns,  stitched together by technology company Xctuality.

The play is accompanied by an original composition of “I'll See You Again”, inspired by Noel Coward, British playwright, novelist and actor, a renowned past resident of Raffles Hotel Singapore, and his song of the same title, which would play every night when the hotel's grandfather's clock strikes eight. Touching on lost relationships and reconciliation, the new rendition is composed by Julian Wong with lyrics by Hossan Leong and performed by Audrey Luo & Dwayne Lau.

Guests may choose to unravel the one-of-a-kind mystery from the comfort of their homes or wherever they are in the world –– by watching it online or experience the play in real life at the property itself. The interactive theatrical experience will transcend the virtual realm through exclusive, limited-time 'daycation' and exclusive staycation packages, where guests will be able to immerse themselves in gameplay from one of the hotel's spacious and beautifully appointed suites, before moving through various checkpoints across Raffles Hotel Singapore on a thrilling treasure hunt to uncover the missing jewel.

“I have always wanted to create an arts piece or production with the beautiful Raffles Hotel Singapore as a backdrop. The perfect opportunity arose recently with the current emphasis to embrace technology and explore bringing the arts onto a digital platform. So, I took up the challenge and conceptualised this novel project to work with people that would encourage me to go beyond my comfort zone. What an exciting ride it has been, and I can't wait for the community to experience Raffles Hotel Singapore like never before!” said Hossan Leong, Director, Double Confirm Productions.

“We are proud to partner with Double Confirm Productions and Sight Lines Entertainment, continuing with our support and nurturing environment for homegrown talents Hossan Leong and Jean Tay, to present 'The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure'. This innovative theatrical production, centred around the Grand Dame, reflects our continued desire to create unforgettable, unique and treasured memories for each and every guest,” said Christian Westbeld, General Manager, Raffles Hotel Singapore. “Through this immersive virtual experience, our guests will be able to appreciate the Grand Dame in a new light, watch as history and mystery collide, and revel in the hotel's culture and heritage – no matter where they are.”

To top off the experience, participants who succeed in solving the mystery will be awarded prizes ranging from e-vouchers for purchases at Raffles Boutique to an elegantly chic Afternoon Tea Experience for two at The Grand Lobby (worth S$156++). All successful mystery solvers will also be entitled to participate in the Grand Draw for a chance to win a one-night stay in a charming Palm Court Suite, an oasis of peace and serenity, with breakfast for two persons (worth more than S$1,300++).

The daycation and staycation packages for 'The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure' are valid for stays between 1 April to 30 June 2021, while the virtual theatrical experience can be streamed on-demand any time during the same period.

Tickets are priced from S$38 onwards and will be available on SISTIC and Raffles Hotel Singapore's website starting 1 March 2021.

Catch the trailer for 'The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure' HERE.

Listen to the original composition of “I'll See You Again” HERE.

This production is supported by the National Arts Council and is part of SG Culture Anywhere.

Enhanced safety and hygiene measures

As we navigate through the ongoing pandemic, Raffles Hotel Singapore continues to embody the philosophy that guides our service excellence, whilst maintaining the highest hygiene standards to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all our guests and staff. Guests can be reassured that all public spaces and restaurants have been reconfigured to facilitate safe distancing without compromising the Raffles experience.

Specific to staycations, the following measures have been taken:

• Suites will be kept vacant for a 24-hour window between departures to ensure optimum cleanliness and sanitisation procedures are applied.
• Increased sanitisation of high-touch points using medical-grade disinfectants and a daily disinfection process of the in-suite minibar with hygiene seal.
• Air filters will also undergo cleaning at an increased frequency.
• Guests are empowered with contactless check-in and checkout procedures, cashless payments, contactless in-suite dining and housekeeping services with safe distancing, to further ease any discomfort.

*Terms & Conditions for Staycation offers:

• All reservations have to be fully pre-paid at time of booking.
• Rates are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing government taxes.
• All package inclusions are to be utilised during the stay unless stated otherwise.
• Offer is not valid in conjunction with other promotions, discounts or loyalty programmes.

Note to Editors:

• For high-resolution images of 'The Curious Case of The Missing Peranakan Treasure', please click here to download. Please credit Double Confirm Productions, Sight Lines Entertainment and Raffles Hotel Singapore for the use of images associated with the play.
• For high-resolution images of Raffles Hotel Singapore, please click here to download. Please credit Raffles Hotel Singapore for the use of these images.
• For more details on our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our guests and staff, please view our factsheet here.

For further information, please contact:

Australian media contact:

Jane Corbett-Jones Raffles PR Representative (Sydney)

T: + 417 772783  E: janecorbettjones@gmail.com

ABOUT RAFFLES SINGAPORE: Opened in 1887, Raffles Singapore is one of the few remaining great 19th century hotels in the world. Till today, its architecture is perfectly preserved both inside and out, giving it an intoxicating blend of luxury, history and classic colonial design. Within its walls are more than a hundred expansive suites, framed by polished teak verandahs and white marble colonnades, clustered around lush tropical gardens. Each is serviced by the legendary Raffles butlers and offers every modern convenience necessary.

Raffles Singapore has recently undergone a careful and sensitive restoration and has fully reopened on 1 August 2019. The restoration of Raffles Singapore is designed to ensure that it retain what is so special about Raffles – the ambience, the service, the charm and the heritage of the hotel. It is also designed for Raffles Singapore to stay relevant and distinctive by moving with the times and with its guests and adapting to the changing needs of the well-travelled and Singapore's community.

www.rafflessingapore.com

ABOUT RAFFLES: Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group which invites travellers to feel welcome in almost 4,800 hotels, resorts and residences, along with some 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe.

raffles.com | accorhotels.com

ABOUT DOUBLE CONFIRM PRODUCTIONS: Founded by Hossan Leong, Double Confirm Productions brings innovative ideas in an age of digitalisation, adding its own voice to local theatre. Double Confirm Productions is here to put on its own musical revues and musicals; bring fresh new stand-up comedy routines; emcee events, and more. Double Confirm Productions also aims to develop new talent and establish a platform for new, young artists to showcase their skills.

doubleconfirm.sg

ABOUT SIGHT LINES ENTERTAINMENT: Established in 2012 by Derrick Chew and Engie Ho, Sight Lines Entertainment started as a theatre company in Singapore producing both local and international works including Edges the Musical, Lord of the Flies and Everything but the Brain. Since 2020, together with Creative Director Chong Tze Chien, the company has evolved to produce on-demand in-demand digital immersive theatrical experiences incorporating 360 degrees VR cameras, AR technology and choice-based narrative capabilities.

sightlines.com.sg

APPENDIX 1 – CAST BIOGAPHIES

AUDREY LUO

Audrey Luo is a bilingual theatre practitioner, singer, host, voice-over artist and has collaborated with Drama Box, ECNAD, I-Theatre, The Finger Players, The Necessary Stage, Pangdemonium, Paper Monkey Theatre, TheatreWorks, The Theatre Practice, Toy Factory, and W!LD RICE. She has toured internationally with productions to countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai and New York. In 2012, Audrey won Best Supporting Actress in 12th The Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards for her role in 881 The Musical. Other notable credits include the titular role in Toy Factory's Titoudao (2015) and 'Mrs Wong' in feature film Our Sister Mambo. She independently co-produced and acted in her first Mandarin monologue My Mother's Chest to full houses in 2016. Audrey was nominated Best Actress in The Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards 2020 for her role as Margaret Wong in Lim Boon Keng Musical. Instagram: Extraudreynary

DWAYNE LAU

A graduate of NUS' Theatre Studies Programme, Dwayne currently heads the drama department at his church and is the drama coach at St. Anthony's Canossian Secondary School. A regular in children's theatre and comedy, Dwayne has performed in The Wizard of Oz, Treasure Island, Charlotte's Web and more with companies like SRT and I Theatre. He also played the Record Keeper in SRT's epic musical, Forbidden City. Credits with WILD RICE include Own Time Own Target, HOTEL, La Cage Aux Folles as well as their Pantomimes, Peter Pan in Serangoon Gardens, Cinderel-Lah!, Hansel and Gretel and A $ingapore Carol. His most recent collaboration with WILD RICE was THE AMAZING CELESTIAL RACE, a musical which he both wrote and acted in.

FRANCES LEE

Frances graduated from LASALLE College of the Art's BA Acting Programme in 2014. Since then, she has received a string of nominations for her work in theatre. She clinched the title 'Best Newcomer of 2016' in StyleXStyle's annual Trailblazer Awards. She was nominated for Best Actress for her performance as Helen in Pangdemonium's Fat Pig (2014), as well as Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Rosemary Joseph in Dick Lee's Beauty World (2015), and in Checkpoint Theatre's The Last Bull (2016) Other nominations include Best Ensemble for her work in Tribes (Pangdemonium) and Normal (Checkpoint Theatre). Her international credits include Theater Nusantara's (Jakarta) production of INTO THE WOODS where she played the Baker's Wife to critical acclaim. On TV, she plays the role of the effervescent Madeline Chan in Season 4 of Channel 5's KIN. Other theatre credits includes The Last Bull (Checkpoint Theatre); Broadway Beng 10th Anniversary Concert (Dream Academy); Jacques Brel is Alive and well and living in Paris (Sing!Theatre); Liao Zhai Rocks (The Theatre Practice) and many more. 

HOSSAN LEONG

Hossan Leong, Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, is one of Singapore's most loved and recognised entertainers. Affectionately known as 'Singapore Boy', Hossan is a consummate performer/director, whose skills include singing, dancing, acting, piano playing, and stand-up comedy. He is actively involved in theatre, television, film and radio.

Hossan first rose to prominence following his appearances in major theatre productions. But it was his knack for comedy that won the hearts of the public, showcased through such notable engagements as hosting the television gameshow, We Are Singaporeans and the daytime talkshow Home Together. 

Hossan continues to delight audiences through his creative involvement with theatre productions, television and film. He intends to nurture the next generation of actors and production crew by giving them a platform to showcase their skills through his companies, Double Confirm Productions (Singapore) and Double Confirm Arts & Media Sdn Bhd (Malaysia).

JULIUS FOO

A theatre practitioner who has trained and worked at the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards (Italy) between 1999 and 2002, as a member of Theatre OX. Julius enjoys working in the community and continues to appreciate the process of discovery and creation, especially in the creation of performances for an online audience.

PAVAN J SINGH

Pavan J Singh is an actor and theatre artist with over 20 years of experience. He has worked with prominent theatre companies in Singapore and Malaysia as well as film production houses in Singapore. 

Prior to The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure, Pavan's credits include How Drama's Fat Kids are Harder to Kidnap, Zenda Tan's Eat Duck (Checkpoint Theatre), Jean Tay's Chinatown Crossings (Dramabox), Complicité's A Disappearing Number (NUS Stage), Joël Pommerat's The Reunification of the Two Koreas (TheatreWorks and Centre dramatique national de Tours), Haresh Sharma's This Chord and Others (Esplanade Studios), and his original work Refuge (Skinned Knee Productions).

At present, he is also a comedy improvisor with Improvanopolis (Eclectic Bison Productions), cast member and creator of news parody show Hey Bro I Ask You (Sproud) and founding member of sketch comedy group Otters United Funny Club.

SITI KHALIJAH ZAINAL 

Siti made her debut as a full-time theatre actress after attending The Necessary Stage's Theatre for Youth Ensemble programme in 2003. She has since worked with a wide range of theatre companies, both locally and internationally. She won the Best Actress Award twice at The Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards for her performances in Model Citizens (2010) and Off Centre (2015). She was awarded the Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council in 2014.

APPENDIX 2 - CREATIVE TEAM BIOGAPHIES

JEAN TAY

Playwright

Jean Tay graduated with a double degree in creative writing and economics from Brown University, USA.  She has written over 20 plays and musicals, including “Chinatown Crossings”, "The Shape of a Bird", "Senang", "Sisters", “Everything but the Brain”, “Boom” and  “Plunge”.  Jean also wrote the books for the musicals “Great Wall: One Woman's Journey”, “The Admiral's Odyssey”, and “Man of Letters”.  Her plays have been performed in Singapore, US, UK, and Italy.  She has been nominated four times for Best Original Script for the Life! Theatre Awards and won for “Everything But the Brain” in 2006.  Her plays “Everything but the Brain” and “Boom” have been used as 'O' and 'N' Level literature texts for secondary schools. Jean is the founding Artistic Director of Saga Seed Theatre, which aims to provide a platform for new writing in Singapore.

DERRICK CHEW

Producer

Derrick is the Executive Producer of The Future Stage as well as the Artistic Director of Sight Lines Entertainment. Mentored by veteran Theatre Producer and acclaimed actress Tan Kheng Hua, Derrick was the Marketing Manager for Pangdemonium Theatre Company from 2010 – 2012 before starting Sight Lines Entertainment with Engie Ho.

Producing credits include The Hossan Leong Show (Assistant Producer, Dream Academy), The Composer (Assistant Producer, Spare Room Productions), Trainstopping, Boom, Edges the Musical, Everything but the Brain, Lord of the Flies, SmartyPants and the Swordfish and Murder at Mandai Camp (Sight Lines Entertainment).

CHONG TZE CHIEN

Creative Consultant

Tze Chien is the Creative Director of The Future Stage and the playwright and director of its debut production Murder at Mandai Camp. He is also a core member of The Finger Players and an award-winning playwright/ director. Some of the awards he has won include the Singapore Dramatist Award and The Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards. His plays have been staged in Singapore, UK, Budapest, Taiwan and Japan. He has two collections of plays published by The Necessary Stage and Epigram Books respectively, containing critically acclaimed plays such as Charged and PIE.

On the national level, Tze Chien was the Creative Director of Singapore Pools' float and performance in Chingay 2007 and 2008, Co-conceptualist and Writer for NDP 2016, Creative Director of Island Adventures for National Museum of Singapore's Children's Season 2012, Artistic Director of The Arts House's 10th Anniversary in 2014, and the Co-curator of The Studios: Fifty, a festival of 50 iconic Singapore Plays presented by the Esplanade in 2015.