Written and co-directed by Kaylene Tan and Alan Oei, A Thousand Stitches is an original play about Singapore during the Japanese Occupation, narrated through live performance and multimedia art.

The title refers to the Senninbari, ‘Thousand Stitch’ belt, which is an embroidered belt given as an amulet by Japanese women to soldiers going to war. Typically embroidered in red thread, this motif is used throughout the play as well as in the designs of the costumes.

What an amazing experience it was to be a part of this Singapore International Festival of Arts show. As costume designer, I produced the main character stage outfits and 6 children outfits. Additionally, a set of Kamishibai illustrations — a traditional form of Japanese street theatre, and prop drapery.

Behind-the-scenes:

Stage Outfits:

With no intermission and only two actors, each outfit had to continuously carry the actors (Mihaya Shirata and Xuan Ong) across time, space and gender.

Mihaya Shirata plays Mizuki, the daughter of a Japanese officer living in Singapore during the war. Is she a time traveler? A ghost? A dream? Mihaya also plays Mizuki’s father. Inspired by 1940s Singapore wartime fashion and the kimono, I used a white floral embroidered cotton to create a haunting, delicate yet simple look.

Xuan Ong plays Emma, an art conservator student who discovers the portrait of Mizuki in 2025. Xuan also plays the male painter of the portrait in 1945. For this complex role, I designed a utilitarian jumpsuit, androgynous and timeless, and could function for both the art student and the artist.