2025 IC Award - Personal Achievement Shortlist

King, THEATRE

Jo Tan (Singapore)

Review

King is a breathtaking one-woman triumph—arguably one of the most commanding solo performances of the past decade. Jo Tan embodies Geok Yen, a seemingly composed PR executive whose life unravels when she slips into the swaggering persona of Stirling da Silva. What unfolds is not merely a narrative of identity crisis, but an electrifying theatrical kaleidoscope—clowning, drag, satire, vulnerability, and raw emotional breakdown seamlessly interwoven.

Tan’s mastery lies in her ability to pivot between no fewer than eight sharply defined characters, each etched with precision and humanity. The performance is a dazzling showcase of theatrical craft: comic timing as sharp as a blade, emotional resonance that lingers long after, and physical dexterity that blurs the lines between drag king bravado and fragile self-discovery.

King earns its nomination for the IC Personal Achievement Award because it represents a remarkable feat of solo performance and personal storytelling.

This nomination recognises not only the artistic excellence of the piece, but also Tan’s personal courage in confronting stereotypes, patriarchal systems, and the complexities of Asian womanhood. Her fearless fusion of humour, breakdown, and self-discovery makes King one of the most impactful solo works of the past decade, a testament to the power of theatre as personal achievement.

Synopsis

In King, Jo Tan delivers a tour de force solo performance, portraying a public relations executive, Geok Yen, whose life is upended when she impulsively attends a party disguised as “Stirling da Silva”—a drag king persona reminiscent of K-pop swagger and masculine bravado. Through 21 sharply sketched characters, swift accent shifts, and kinetic physicality, Tan takes the audience on a wild, emotionally charged journey from controlled perfection to radical self-discovery. Smartly balancing sharp social satire with heartfelt vulnerability, King explores identity, gender norms, and authenticity in Singaporean society—with fierce theatricality and fearless presence.

DOTS, THEATRE

Annie Cheung (Hong Kong, China)

Review

Dots is more than a performance—it is an act of courage. Annie Cheung transforms her lived experience of high-functioning depression and self-doubt into a raw, darkly comic, and deeply moving solo show. Blending self-revelatory theatre with drama therapy, Cheung masterfully weaves humour through tragedy, making her personal struggles universally resonant. Her performance is bold and unflinching, yet tender, drawing audiences into the vulnerable psychology of insecure overachievers while opening vital conversations about mental health.

What elevates Dots is not only Cheung’s artistic excellence—nominated for IATCHK Performer of the Year and HK Theatre Libre Outstanding Actress—but her commitment to advocacy. From workshops in collaboration with charities to global festival tours across London, Vancouver, New York, Singapore, and Hong Kong, Cheung has turned her art into a platform for destigmatization and healing.

For its fusion of artistry, authenticity, and impact, Dots stands as one of the most significant personal achievements in contemporary solo theatre.

Synopsis

Dots is a darkly funny and brutally honest solo show by Annie Cheung that dives into the mind of a high-achieving overthinker. Blending sharp comedy with raw vulnerability, Cheung explores perfectionism, anxiety, and high-functioning depression with rhythmic intensity, striking movement, and unflinching honesty. Both relatable and deeply moving, Dots is a powerful portrait of what it means to connect the fragments of self in a world that demands constant performance.

Here Comes Gudong, CHILDREN’S SHOW

Portia Yuran Li & Mary Emma, He (Roarrrr Theatre, China)

Review

Here Comes Gudong is more than a family theatre piece – it is the deeply personal achievement of an artist who transformed her lived experience as an immigrant mother into a cross-cultural artistic vision. Inspired by the bilingual imagination of raising a child, the work takes a uniquely Chinese onomatopoeia, “Gudong,” and reinvents it as a character that travels through myths and cultures. This act of turning a private curiosity into a universal story exemplifies personal courage, innovation, and artistic resilience.

By blending puppetry, shadow play, live-camera wizardry, and an intercultural soundscape, the production breaks new ground in children’s theatre. It not only entertains but also educates, fostering curiosity about cultural difference through sound and myth. Its nomination for the Personal Achievement Award recognises the creator’s ability to merge motherhood, migration, and artistry into a work that resonates globally, proving how personal storytelling can become a universal bridge.

Synopsis

A cross-cultural family adventure where a mysterious sound sparks a playful quest. Blending puppetry, shadow play, live-camera magic, and an intercultural soundscape, the show reimagines myths from East and West with humour and heart. A dazzling, sensory experience for children and adults alike.