Glen Goei

Glen Goei (born 1962) is one of Singapore's leading film and theatre directors. His broad ranging body of work embraces the full gamut of performing and visual arts; film, theatre, musicals, large scale shows, World Expos, dance, music, and architectural design.

Glen Goei was the Artistic Director of Mu-Lan Arts in London from 1990 to 1998. It was the first Asian theatre company to be established in the United Kingdom. He is currently the Associate Artistic Director of the Singaporean theatre company, W!LD RICE.

Goei's film, Forever Fever was the first Singapore film to achieve a worldwide commercial release. The film was distributed in America and the UK by Miramax, which then signed him on an exclusive three-picture deal.

In 1994, he received the National Youth Award for his contribution to the Arts from Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.

=Biography=

Goei's professional career started with his Olivier Award-nominated performance in the title role of M. Butterfly opposite Anthony Hopkins in London's West End. It grew through his multi-award-winning tenure as Producer–Artistic Director of Mu-Lan Arts in London – the first Asian theatre company to be established in the United Kingdom. Mu-Lan's productions garnered acclaim in London, Singapore and worldwide – including Best Original Play, Best Production and Best Comedy from the Sunday Times Fringe Awards.

In 1998, Goei's film career began with his first feature Forever Fever (a.k.a. That's The Way I Like It), which he wrote, produced and directed. The film was produced under his production company, TigerTiger Productions. It was the first Singapore film to achieve a worldwide commercial release after being picked up by Miramax for distribution in America and the UK. Following its success, Miramax signed him on an exclusive three-picture deal.

His second film The Blue Mansion had its commercial release in October 2009. It was shown at the Pusan and the Tokyo International Film Festivals.

Underpinning this has been Goei's constant and substantial contribution to Singapore theatre, principally as Associate Artistic Director of the acclaimed Singapore company, W!ld Rice and frequent director for the most commercially successful company, Dream Academy. His productions for W!ld Rice have included hits such as Boeing Boeing, The Magic Fundoshi, Blithe Spirit, and his internationally lauded 2009 interpretation of The Importance of Being Earnest. Goei's work with Dream Academy includes the hugely popular The Revenge of The Dim Sum Dollies, The History of Singapore and The Little Shop of Horrors.

=Education=

Goei attended the Anglo Chinese School in Singapore from 1969 to 1980, then Cambridge University in the UK from 1983 to 1986, where he earned his B.A. Honors, M.A. in History. He spent the next two years at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, receiving a Postgraduate Diploma in Drama, and later studied Filmmaking at New York University (1994–1995).

=Works=

Theatre

 * M. Butterfly, West End, London 1989 – Actor
 * Madame Mao'S Memories, Director, London 1991 and tour 1993 – Producer and Director
 * Porcelain, Royal Court Theatre, London 1992 – Producer and Director
 * The Magic Fundoshi, Hammersmith Theatre, London 1993 and tour 1994, 1996 – Producer and Director,
 * Three Japanese Women, Soho Theatre, London, 1993 – Producer and Director
 * Into The Woods, Singapore, 1994 – Director
 * Kampong Amber, Singapore, 1994 – Actor & Director
 * Land of a Thousand Dreams, Singapore, 1995 – Director
 * Boeing Boeing, Singapore, 1995 – Director
 * Godspell, Anglo-Chinese School, Singapore, 2001 – Director
 * Blithe Spirit, Singapore, 2001 – Director
 * Boeing Boeing (New Production) Singapore, 2002, 2005 – Director
 * Revenge of the Dim Sum Dollies, Singapore, 2004 – Director
 * Aladdin, Singapore, 2004 – Director
 * The Magic Fundoshi (New Production), Singapore, 2006 – Director
 * Little Shop of Horrors, Singapore, 2006 – Director
 * The Dim Sum Dollies' History of Singapore, Singapore, 2007 – Director
 * The Importance of Being Earnest, Singapore, 2009 – Director

Film

 * Forever Fever (a.k.a. That's The Way I Like It), 1997–98 – Writer, Producer, Director
 * The Blue Mansion, Singapore/Malaysia, 2009 – Producer & Director

Television
Lovejoy Episode "Flat Fee" as Translator.TV Series, 1992
 * Really Something, Singapore, 2001 – Director

Large scale performance

 * National Day Parade, Singapore 2003–2006 – Creative Director
 * The Arts House, Opening Ceremony, Singapore, 2004 – Director
 * IOC Conference, Opening Ceremony, Singapore, 2006 – Creative Director

Project Design

 * Singapore Pavilion, World Expo, Nagoya, Japan, 2004–2005 – Creative Director
 * New Majestic Hotel, Singapore 2006 – Guest Designer
 * One North Bridge Condominium and Offices, 2006 – Creative Designer
 * Bintang Goldhill Condominium, Kuala Lumpur 2008 – Creative Designer

=Awards and nominations=


 * Olivier Award for Best Newcomer (Nomination)
 * Sunday Times (UK) Awards for Best Production, Best Comedy, Best Play
 * National Youth Award (Excellence), Singapore, Contribution to the Arts

=References=


 * W!ld Rice

=External links=


 * The Blue Mansion Official Website
 * IMDB Profile
 * W!ld Rice
 * New York Times article on The Importance of Being Earnest
 * Interview with Channel News Asia