The Mongol Khan In Singapore: Explosive Dancing, Intricate Costumes & So Much Drama
Hold on to your seats, because The Mongol Khan is bringing all the heat to Singapore. And when we say all the heat, we mean fantastic choreography, jaw-dropping costumes, and drama so thick you could cut it with a sword. Imagine the plot twists of Game of Thrones with the stunning visuals of Mulan — like we said, intense!
After a sold-out season at The London Coliseum in 2023, this theatrical spectacle combining song, dance, acrobatics and puppetry is making its highly anticipated Asian debut at Sands Theatre in Marina Bay Sands. It also marks the first time a Mongolian theatrical production will take the stage here, with the full season running till 3 November 2024.
Thinking about catching the show? Scroll on to read our mostly spoiler-free review.
The Plot
Photo from Katja Ogrin
The Mongol Khan unravels an epic tale of love, betrayal, and political power plays that will keep you guessing and gasping till the very last second. Before the Great Mongol Empire (yes, that’s the one infamously ruled by Genghis Khan) came the Huns, a fierce nomadic people who dominated the eastern Eurasian Steppes. Our story begins right in their royal court, about 2,000 years ago.
Photo from Katja Ogrin
This world of intrigue revolves around Archug Khan and his two Queens, Tsetser and Gerel, who both give birth to sons just days apart. Exciting, right? Except there’s a massive question mark hanging over Tsetser’s son because she had an affair with the Khan’s most trusted advisor, Chancellor Egereg — cue the scandal!
The Cast
Photo from Katja Ogrin
Erdenebileg Ganbold is a triumph in the role of the mighty yet troubled Archug Khan, and though he did not have as much stage time as I would have expected from a show titled The Mongol Khan, he certainly commanded attention whenever he did appear.
The onstage chemistry between his character and the gentle Queen consort Gerel, played by Dulguun Odkhuu, was fantastic and their romantic scenes managed to draw quite a number of dreamy sighs and coos from those in my section.
Meanwhile, Bold-Erdene Sugar and Uranchimeg Urtnasan brilliantly portrayed the villainous Chancellor Egereg and Queen Tsetser, creating a multifaceted and truly human take on greed and envy.
The Production
Photo from Katja Ogrin
FYI: this isn't a plot-heavy show at all — it’s every bit a visual spectacle! The costumes are intricate beyond belief, steeped in historical authenticity while remaining artistically stylised to wow contemporary audiences. I found the attention to detail staggering: the flowing robes are embroidered in vibrant golds and reds shimmer under the stage lights, while the armour worn by Archug Khan and his warriors gleams ominously, a constant reminder of the weight of an empire.
Photo from Katja Ogrin
And then there's the dancing. Oh, the dancing! Choreographed with an intensity that echoes the drama unfolding on stage, every movement feels charged with emotion. From battle scenes that sweep across the stage like a whirlwind to intimate moments where characters express their innermost turmoil through fluid, hypnotic movements, the choreography is as integral to the storytelling as the dialogue.
The ensemble of dancers execute traditional Mongolian movements and blend them with modern theatricality, all to the pulse of thunderous drums and a score that seamlessly fuses ancient sounds with contemporary flair. That being said, while there are few sung parts in The Mongol Khan, those that are performed are done with haunting beauty.
Photo from Katja Ogrin
Here’s where things get even more interesting, because audiences can choose to watch the show in Mongolian or English. There are obvious pros and cons to this: I caught the Mongolian language performance and felt it certainly enhanced the atmosphere of each scene, making them feel more authentic and culturally immersive.
The trade-off comes in the form of having to read subtitles while watching the play. Those who are used to watching foreign language films or television series will have no problem reading quickly, but you'll have to turn your line of sight (and if your seat is poorly angled, then your entire head) to face the displays on either sides of the stage to view the corresponding English and Chinese subtitles.
And since there's no IRL replay option, those who rather not miss any part of the onstage action or who want the convenience of fully understanding every line spoken should consider opting for the English language showtimes instead.
Verdict
Photo from Katja Ogrin
As a huge fan of historical dramas, nothing excites me like a good struggle for the throne served with a side of sabotage and murder. And while The Mongol Khan certainly checks those boxes and more, I left the theatre feeling more impressed with the immense emotional depth dished up by the cast and the show's visual aspects than the storyline itself.
It's hard to go wrong with a juicy hook like The Mongol Khan's, but the bloodthirsty family feud was less bloodthirsty or family, and more of just a one-sided feud. The show also does encounter some pacing issues, with certain scenes feeling dragged out and repetitive, leaving audiences to listen to a character declare their nefarious intentions or persuade another into committing untold atrocities for the nth time.
Photo from Katja Ogrin
There are also characters who have way too much stage time (ahem, Chancellor Egereg) and some who get barely any — which is a pity as there really is so much untapped potential. Case in point: the brave and rightful heir Prince Khuchir appears so briefly in the show that it feels almost criminal, especially when you take into account how much time his brother Prince Achir has to simply pop up and spout disturbing and conveniently incriminating things to his father.
The same could be said for Khuchir's mother — the good Queen Gerel — who seems to only appear as a foil for Queen Tsetser, or to chime in once in a while as a virtuous wife and mother. It would have been immensely satisfying to witness a scene or two where she demonstrated a voice of her own, or simply interacted with her grown-up child.
Photo from Katja Ogrin
But while the overall plot is slightly weak on the writing front, the script is amazingly crafted, with many a poetic line leaving me with chills — the good kind! There's no doubt that The Mongol Khan is worth watching for the sheer brilliance of its cast, phenomenal choreography, and magnificent production value.
All in all, a fantastic pick for anyone who is looking to dip their toes into Mongolian culture and music. You'll certainly find yourself on the edge of your seat at many points throughout The Mongol Khan thanks to the incredible stunts and performances, and leave feeling exhilarated at the end of the night.
You can catch The Mongol Khan at Sands Theatre from now till 3 November 2024. Grab your tickets on klook.com, marinabaysands.com or sistic.com.sg from $44.80.
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