Gateway Theatre is focusing on seniors this year and has a number of programmes related to seniors.

 

Gateway Theatre, an arts centre for children, youth and families, is focusing on seniors this year. It will launch the inaugural Sunshine Festival on October 31 to November 9, 2025, a theatre celebration that flips the script on ageing – championing seniors who pursue new dreams in music and performance, and families who cheer them on.

Priscilla Khong, executive director of Gateway Theatre, explained: “In the past few years, Gateway Theatre has had a stronger focus on programmes for children and youth. This year, we wanted to broaden that to include the older members of the family – the seniors.”

She added, “Senior well-being is very close to my heart because my grandmother lived with my family as I was growing up, and we spent a lot of time together. At the same time, Gateway Theatre is located in a neighbourhood with a large community of seniors; having senior-focused programmes allows us to better cater to and engage with the seniors and their families in our neighbourhood.”

With our Government’s emphasis on senior well-being – such as the Age Well Neighbourhoods introduced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during his National Day Rally – this Festival will offer more enriching activities for the silver generation and their families! Its two anchors are Live It Up! 《活出精彩》(by seniors, for seniors), and the first-ever When You Believe《奇幻之声》musical concert co-produced by Gateway Entertainment and Hong Kong media giant Television Broadcasts Limited International (TVBI). The latter event aims to bring audiences face-to-face with popular contestants from the hit reality singing talent competition Midlife, Sing & Shine!《中年好声音》by TVB, alongside the magic and storytelling flair of Gateway Entertainment.

Samantha Scott-Blackhall, programme director of Gateway Theatre, said: “Sunshine Festival is about sunshine in your later years – the joy you can find in them. We want seniors to keep living fully, seeing this phase not as a sunset but a new hour to shine.”

Some of the programmes in the Festival include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Live It Up!

Oct 31 – Nov 2, Gateway Theatre

S$45, S$35, S$25 (Culture Pass Eligible)

Created and performed by the senior ensemble of The Glowers Drama Group, “Live It Up!” brims with music, humour and audience sing-alongs – think classic tunes with lyrics on screen so the whole house can join in. It is designed to be joyful, purposeful theatre that engages seniors and sparks conversations about activities that are centred around them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Where The Sunflowers Grow

Nov 2 & 9, Gateway Theatre Dance Studio

S$15 (Culture Pass Eligible)

A non-verbal puppetry performance about an elderly woman and her beloved sunflower, exploring ageing and how our lives intertwine with nature. Designed for intergenerational families, it invites children aged five to 12 and their loved ones to gently explore loss, grief and the beauty of life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 倒带 (Rewind)

November 7-9, Gateway Theatre Black Box

S$50 (Culture Pass Eligible)

A brand new Mandarin play written by Neo Hai Bin based on a real-life story. Its director, Li Xie, describes the show as “a reflection on how we live before we leave this world”. For him, a meaningful approach to one’s later years requires us to examine “how we face our wounds, the unresolved in our relationships, and the quiet battles within ourselves, and make peace with ourselves”. 倒带 (Rewind) hopes to help audiences do just that, through the real-life story of a cancer survivor Mdm Ong’s reflections on how she battled through her illness and reclaims her will to live.

This poignant production unfolds through Mdm Ong’s life, loss and hope as she confronts illness and identity loss. Once a young woman with dreams, her life took challenging turns as she faced personal losses and a grueling battle with breast and uterine cancers. Now a survivor, her story resonates with strength and purpose, inspiring those around her. Featuring a unique sound healing collaboration, 倒带 (Rewind) offers an intimate, healing theatrical experience.

 

• Coffee Talk: Facing Grief with Joy
November 1, Gateway Theatre Sky Garden

FREE

Led by Catherine Sng, founder of The Glowers Drama Group, this talk explores resilience through personal and artistic journeys. Drawing from her personal journey and decades of experience, the talk offers a compassionate space for seniors to explore loss, resilience and embracing life with joy.

 

• Morning Moves (seniors stretching class)

October 31 – November 1 & November 7-9, Gateway Theatre Sky Garden

FREE

Get moving in the morning with instructor Wan Ying as she takes you through senior-friendly stretches. The breathing and simple exercises will not only get your blood circulating, but help you relieve stress and support your overall well-being. There’s no better way to start your day!

 

Tickets are available through SISTIC. For more information, go to: Gateway Theatre at: https://gatewaytheatre.sg/.