Writing for dinner theatre is a whole new recipe, and Thomas Lim leans into it with relish. From syncing dramatic beats with a four-course meal to crafting moments shaped by audience votes, he shares how Fried Rice Paradise: The Makan Party blurs the lines between fiction and reality — and why the unpredictability of it all is part of the fun.

1. Writing for a dinner theatre experience is a different ballpark from writing for the stage. How did you approach integrating food and theatre when writing the script?

It certainly is very different! There is an additional layer of complexity to writing this play because the events in the story needs to sync up with the practical realities of dinner. The world of Fried Rice Paradise itself lends itself neatly to this idea, so I structured the dramatic action around what we would usually expect of a four-course dinner. 

2. How was the collaborative process with the chefs in planning the menu for the show? Did it influence your writing process?

It was an incredible experience because it’s a very key element of engagement for the audience. When I was writing the script I was imagining the audience being very much part of the world - because they would be actually eating the dishes I am putting on the page. The chefs at Paradox have been really game to bring this aspect of the story to life and yes, their creations have definitely inspired the writing!

3. Having audience interaction by getting them to vote for the new Boss Lady of Fried Rice Paradise brings an added element of excitement to a dinner theatre show. How will the audience’s ability to vote affect your writing process?

We cannot really know in advance how the voting will turn out in each show, and in order for the vote to count, it has to have some kind of impact on the story. So it does mean creating space to respond to the votes within the script and the show, some of which have to be unscripted. Part of the excitement for me is watching how the show will change with different voting patterns.

4. In your perspective as a writer, what does this interactive element bring to the dinner theatre experience?

Liveness — which is something that I really love to experience in any performance. It’s the feeling where there is a little unpredictability, a little sense of danger, anticipation, not just among the audiences, but also among the actors who will not know what they will get from the audience.

5. With so many elements at play – food, theatre, and audience interaction – what aspect of the writing process did you find most rewarding or enjoyable?

I most enjoyed straddling the lines between fiction and reality in writing Fried Rice Paradise: The Makan Party. It’s a show that feels very open, porous and brimming with probabilities of what could happen when it meets the audience.

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