Asian Pirate Musical will make its long-awaited full production debut at Upstairs at the Gatehouse from 28 July to 2 August 2026, following six years of development across workshops, concerts and recordings.
Set in the year 2049, the musical follows a lone pirate sailing the Straits of Melaka under a red sky until a storm brings together seafarers from across time and space on a single ship.
As the crew battle for power and acceptance, they navigate ship graveyards and mutant deep-sea creatures while searching for a place to call home in a ravaged world.
Blending real histories and speculative futures, the story draws on figures such as 14th century navigator Zheng He and 19th century pirate queen Sek Yeong, alongside imagined climate survivors and space revolutionaries.
The production explores themes of freedom, resistance, grief and solidarity, as the characters confront what it means to exist and belong in an uncertain future.
The genre-defying score combines traditional instruments with Asian pop influences and diasporic sounds, creating a distinctive musical landscape.
This first full staging follows a sold-out work-in-progress run at The Vaults in 2020, a concert showcase at the Pleasance in 2024, and the release of a studio cast album in 2025.
The show features a cast including Yñaqui Tuason-Inocian, Amanda Maud, Ashley Goh, Rai Endah and Nabilah Hamid.
It is created by a writing team comprising Zhui Ning Chang, Frey Kwa Hawking, Jade Leamcharaskul, Sarita Lewis, Nemo Martin and XANA, with direction by Zhui Ning Chang.
The creative team also includes producers Florian Lim and Nemo Martin, dramaturg Frey Kwa Hawking, choreographer Wenning Wang and designer Mikayla Teodoro.
Performances run at 7.30pm from 28 July to 1 August, with a 2pm matinee on 2 August, and an age guidance of 12+.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
