Singapore hotels pivot to the arts to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, taking their cue from an established tradition

Interactive plays filmed and set in Raffles and Hotel Soloha, Singapore, are examples of how different industries can lean on each other during the pandemic

In St Petersburg, Grand Hotel Europe patrons can access a private box at a theatre. In Sicily’s Grand Hotel Timeo, a secret entrance leads into an amphitheatre

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Hossan Leong (right) with actor Pavan J Singh. The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure was filmed on location at Raffles in Singapore. “The virtual interactive play arose out of a business need to pivot, given the current pandemic,” says the hotel managing director. Photo: Double Confirm Productions and Sight Lines Entertainment

Published: 7:15am, 14 Jun 2021Updated: 11:13am, 14 Jun 2021

I returned to Raffles last night. It wasn’t a dream, nor was I actually there – fat chance of that in these times of ever-deflating travel bubbles! Instead, I watched an interactive play filmed and set in the Singaporean hotel.

The Curious Case of the Missing Peranakan Treasure, by theatre companies Double Confirm Productions and Sight Lines Entertainment, was filmed entirely on location at Raffles using 360-degree virtual-reality cameras. I was able to “enter” the familiar white facade, “check in” at the lobby and “revisit” the hotel’s bars, suites and courtyards – all while a mystery unfolded.

“From 2020, there was not a lot of work for us in the arts so I decided not to sit around but to create something for actors and crew,” says Hossan Leong, of Double Confirm, who conceived and directed (and features in) the play.

“I have always wanted to create a production with the beautiful Raffles as a backdrop, and they were very supportive of my idea of having a ‘whodunit’ set in the hotel,” says Leong, who has filmed one-man performances at the Grand Hyatt and W hotels in Singapore.

Julius Foo on location at Raffles Singapore. Photo: Double Confirm Productions and Sight Lines Entertainment

You have until June 30 to watch the tale online and solve the mystery – take part from anywhere in the world by buying a ticket from agency Sistic – with a real-life stay at Raffles up for grabs. Those lucky enough to be in Singapore right now can book a Daycation or Staycation package, watch the play in their suite and explore the hotel in person for clues, while sipping on Singapore Slings and snacking on satay sticks.