As Fried Rice Paradise – The Makan Party debuts in the form of a bold new dinner theatre, we caught up with cast members Serene Chen, Natalie Yeap, and Ching Shu Yi to chat about their roles, performing for a live (and well-fed!) audience, and what makes this story about food and family so Singaporean.

1. Tell us a bit about your character. Which parts of your character do you relate to the most? 

Serene: I play Bee Lean, the founder of Fried Rice Paradise. In life, my fried rice is also a hit! I make sure my fried rice varieties are very different in look and texture. 

Natalie: Nancy is the younger sister at Fried Rice Paradise. I can’t relate to being the younger sibling (I’m actually the eldest of three), but I can definitely relate to being laser-focused on a goal and throwing yourself into it wholeheartedly.

Shu Yi: I play Fancy, the eldest daughter of Bee Lean of Fried Rice Paradise. Fancy is a feisty, strong willed and confident woman, who is not afraid to speak her mind. I am also the eldest in my family, and there are definitely similar protective traits and firm details to Fancy that I can relate. 

2. Performing in an interactive dinner theatre setting is no ordinary experience. What excites you the most about performing in such a setting? 

Natalie: It’s been so cool working with such a unique space! The stage is like theatre-in-the-round, which means we’ve had to explore how to play to an audience from all sides — and that’s been really fun to figure out.  

Shu Yi: It will definitely be a challenging experience, but I am very excited that each performance will be different and fresh for the entire team. I am also very excited to interact with the audience, and hope that they will have an amazing time with us.

3. Is there anything within the show that you personally connect with? 

Serene: Following the story of Fried Rice Paradise really reminds me of the histories of some food businesses in Singapore! They carry their own family history and breathe life into the story of Singapore’s history too. 

Natalie: Food! As a Singaporean, I obviously love our local food. And I feel really strongly about preserving our hawker culture — it’s such a big part of our identity, our memories, our stories. Fried Rice Paradise – The Makan Party celebrates that in such a fun and heartfelt way.

4. Fried Rice Paradise has evolved over the years from its origin as a hit song to the stage. What do you feel you or the cast bring to this newest evolution of the show? 

Serene: The cast brings wonder and freshness to this beloved brand. It’s been onstage and on screen, now it becomes intimately in front of, beside, and around our friends of Fried Rice Paradise – The Makan Party.  

Natalie: This latest version is like another branch in the Fried Rice Paradise multiverse — and I’m honoured to be part of that growing legacy. I think our cast brings a perfect mix of fun, drama, and fiery energy.

Shu Yi: The story we are telling is exciting and bright, and the new energies that the entire team will be bringing into the show will be fun, lively, and colourful. 

5. If the audience walks away with one thought, one feeling, or one craving, what do you hope it is?

Natalie: I hope they leave thinking, "Wow, Singapore theatre is cool!" That it's immersive, exciting, and worth coming back for. And of course, I hope they’re craving fried rice — and telling all their friends and family to come see the show too! 

Shu Yi: I hope the audience will walk away singing all the songs we will be presenting! Be warned, they get stuck in your head! 

Fried Rice Paradise – The Makan Party runs 12 Aug – 14 Sep 2025 at Paradox Singapore Hotel. Get your tickets here.