The Tao of the World Front Cover


ISBN: 9781772017274
Pages: 144 pp
Pub. Date: September 15 2026
Dimensions: 8.5" x 5.5" x 0.625"
Rights: Available: WORLD
Categories
Drama / DRA024000

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The Tao of the World
By Jovanni Sy

After isolating during a global pandemic, Singapore’s wealthy elite make up for lost time, bedding other people’s partners and swindling one another out of dynastic fortunes. Edward wants to marry Millicent but needs Arabella’s help to convince Lady Helena to approve of the marriage. But Arabella is in love with Edward and needs her best friend Devan’s help to sabotage the engagement. And Lady Helena hates Edward, attempting instead to make a match between Millicent and closeted cousin William (who is in love with Devan). Behind all this romantic cloak and dagger is another struggle over inheritance and financial power. And behind that, a whole structure of unseen labour that makes all the scheming possible.

Inspired by William Congreve’s The Way of the World and Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians, The Tao of the World is a Restoration comedy for modern times, a hilarious, bawdy romp that asks what it means for things to return to normal.

Minimum of 10 actors with doubling

"A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud comedy that proves some games of the heart never go out of style." —Encore Michigan

"Wildly ambitious and oftentimes equally uproarious ... This is social satire filled not only with acerbic wit, but also with a venomous, deadly bite." —Joshua Chong, The Toronto Star

"Theatregoers were howling with laughter while watching Jovanni Sy's The Tao of the World."—Hussam Elghussein, My Stratford Now

"The Tao of the World is a laugh-out-loud romp that lampoons society, class, power, wealth and culture as they attempt to snap back to a “normal” life after the pandemic—while laying bare the uncomfortable truth that there will be no such “restoration” for the working class." —Geoffrey Coulter, Our Theatre Voice

"This inventive and laugh-out-loud-funny comedy ... keeps audiences guessing about what hijinks will happen next, while also surprising them with heartfelt moments and thoughtful messages." —Lauren Gienow, Broadway World

"Vibrant." —Daphne Gordon, Stratford Today

"Lightning quick ... buoyant." —Aisling Murphy, The Globe and Mail

"Poignant." —Aaron Kyte, The Stratford Beacon Herald