My Perfect Weekend with Titoudao actress Tan Rui Shan
Who: Actress Tan Rui Shan, 31, is best known for playing Mrs Lee Kuan Yew in Toy Factory’s play about Madam Kwa Geok Choo. She has also starred in productions by home-grown theatre companies Wild Rice and The Necessary Stage.
Tan returns to the stage in another iconic Singaporean production, Titoudao, where she plays Madam Oon Ah Chiam, writer-director Goh Boon Teck’s mother, who inspired the play. Madam Oon is a Chinese street opera practitioner with big dreams of fighting against poverty and gender inequality.
Titoudao runs at Victoria Theatre from July 5 to 21. Thirty years since the play premiered in 1994, Titoudao has toured internationally from China to Egypt and was adapted into a television series in 2021. The stage play won Play of the Year at the inaugural The Straits Times Life Theatre Awards in 2001.
“A perfect Saturday morning routine for me starts with me sleeping in on a rainy day until my body wakes up naturally. Breakfast is the most important meal of my day, so I will head downstairs to get a cup of kopi c peng siew dai from Kallang Estate Market, and either a packet of chwee kueh or beehoon with cabbage, fish fillet and a fried egg.
After breakfast, I will make time for 60 to 90 minutes of yoga, stretching or fitness session to realign my body, mind and spirit, and get my heart pumping. I attend online yoga classes on Alomoves.
Cycling is the best night activity. It is cheap, scenic and you get to see such a different side of Singapore. I started night cycling when I was in secondary school. I enjoy taking the route from Stadium to Tanjong Rhu, going into Gardens by the Bay, and then past Singapore River along Esplanade Bridge and Marina Bay Sands. I recommend cycling to the hidden coffee shop in Jalan Benaan Kapal. There is a steamboat place called One Pot that opens at night. Otherwise, take along your own food and chill at the Tanjong Rhu area.
Most times, I love to stay at home and do absolutely nothing, or perhaps watch Netflix – my recent favourites are Baby Reindeer (2024) and 3 Body Problem (2024). I love psychological thrillers, horror and true-crime documentaries. A cup of homemade iced matcha latte with some Marks & Spencer’s cheese twists and Philadelphia’s cream cheese are great additions.
Actress Tan Rui Shan, 31, with her niece and nephew, whom she spends time with on weekends. PHOTO: COURTESY OF TAN RUI SHAN
I also love to spend time with my family. A perfect weekend will include taking my niece, six, and nephew, two, to the waterpark at Lorong 2 Toa Payoh, called Play@Heights Park. They love it because it has a huge range of amenities – from trampolines and ziplines to a sand playground and a waterpark, and even fitness corners for parents and grandparents.
Madam Oon also likes activities related to beauty and wellness, so I would love to take her to an onsen session at Yunomori Onsen & Spa for a day to relax. And then perhaps, I would arrange a hair and make-up session to prepare her for a photo shoot session with one of my dear friends, Poh Yu Khing, who is a photographer with lots of heart and skill, and whom I have done two dance photoshoots with.”
Book It/Titoudao
Where: Victoria Theatre, 11 Empress PlaceWhen: July 5 to 21, various timingsAdmission: From $50
Info: sistic.com.sg/events/titou0724