news | Thursday August 20, 2026

Hot Off the Press! The Tao of the World Is Here!

Looking to laugh? Looking to celebrate life? Looking to examine the insidious structures that allow the wealthy and glamorous to maintain their lives on the back of the invisible labour of others? Then you’ll want to pick up a copy of the sparkling new play The Tao of the World by Jovanni Sy! Recently liberated from the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore’s wealthy elite – armed with taste, bon mots, and the invisible labour of the working class – scheme, woo, connive, and behave badly.
An excerpt:

“ARABELLA
(to audience) Back at our tea, I had assumed that Edward was
being his usual drama queen self when he said my mother hated
him. He was not. Behold the origin of her profound loathing of
Edward. This occurred just before the pandemic at a function
for Singapore’s elite.

LADY HELENA
Don’t you hate these charity fundraisers?

EDWARD
More than you can imagine.

LADY HELENA
Why are you all the way over there?

Smiling, she seductively summons him to sit closer; he does.

LADY HELENA
(raising her glass) To … whatever disease we’re eradicating.

EDWARD
This is for the ballet.

LADY HELENA
May they never get sick.

They clink glasses.

LADY HELENA
I find that first encounters like ours are so much simpler when
the two parties already know one another.

EDWARD
Definitely.

LADY HELENA
None of the awkward “what do you do?”

EDWARD
“Oh you know so-and-so.”

LADY HELENA
“Are you here with someone?” (beat) You know, I don’t feel like
slugging this back. On the other hand, I don’t feel like waiting
to finish it slowly.

EDWARD
Waiting for what?

LADY HELENA
(playing with his hair) In the time it takes to finish this drink,
you and I could already be heading out. Together.

EDWARD
Where?

LADY HELENA
(caressing his face) Somewhere private.

EDWARD
(looking confused) You mean, the school?

LADY HELENA
What are you talking about?

EDWARD
Um, I think, I think there’s uh … I’m Edward Lim.

LADY HELENA
I know, of course. Who did you think I was?

EDWARD
I uh thought you were my Primary 4 teacher.

LADY HELENA throws her drink in EDWARD’s face and
storms off. The lounge bar disappears. EDWARD is left in
limbo with ARABELLA, now doubled over in laughter.”

Inspired by William Congreve’s The Way of the World and Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians, The Tao of the World is a Restoration comedy for modern times, a hilarious, bawdy romp that asks what it means for things to return to normal. The Tao of the World is having its world premiere at the famous Stratford Festival! The play runs until September 26, so be sure to catch a production! Order your copy here.