Veteran Taiwanese actress-director-singer Sylvia Chang knows how to make an entrance.

The 55-year-old arrived at a press conference at the Esplanade yesterday for her new play, Design For Living, sporting a sassy bob and clad in a striking ensemble of military jacket, silver ankle boots and, of course, the indispensable celebrity accessory: white Oakley wayfarer sunglasses.

The three-time Golden Horse Award-winning actress outclassed her co-stars, Taiwanese pretty boy actor Joe Cheng and actor-host David Wang, and Hong Kong director Edward Lam, who were all more casually dressed.

Chang, who directed films such as Tempting Heart (1999), also oozed old-school glamour and charisma.

She was unfailingly courteous, wishing the press a happy Chinese New Year and joking cheekily with her co-stars.

They are all in town for the play, which headlines the Esplanade's Chinese New Year arts festival, Huayi.

The three-hour production about the corporate rat race set against the financial meltdown plays at the Esplanade Theatre today and tomorrow.

Chang co-wrote the script and stars as a manipulative dragon lady boss.

Lam, who directed What Is Man?, an epic re-writing of the Chinese literary classic Water Margin at last year's Huayi, describes Chang as the 'backbone' of the creative process.

'The play is co-written by her. In five days, she wrote about 38,000 words.'

She says: 'I don't think I used only five days, it was my life experience. I've never worked in an office, but the work I do, the people I've seen, all that has been quite similar to the corporate world, and all this has gone into the play.

'It's the same way how people struggle with each other.'

On whether she is power hungry like the character she plays, she says that 'if I say no, it would be a lie'.

'People will then ask, 'Why did you become a director, why have you come to a point where people call you Sister Chang and Teacher Chang?'' she says.

She also has a softer, more humorous side when interacting with her co-stars.

She praises Cheng, star of idol dramas such as It Started With A Kiss (2005), for his acting abilities.

'Few young actors can act in comedies and art films. He is also manly and boyish at the same time. He has a long way ahead of him.'

Cheng, 26, is making his stage debut in the play. He says the pressure of acting with her eased after the first rehearsal.

'She asked me to stop treating her like my boss' friend, but just a regular actress.'

To which Chang adds: 'As long as he doesn't treat me like a mother.'

He adds that it is 'thrilling' acting with the veteran.

'I can see her performance close up. Normal people, even normal actors, don't ever have such an opportunity. I can touch her, smell her,' he says. 'I have luck from three lifetimes.'

Co-star Wang then arrived at the press conference late with a Starbucks coffee.

Chang eyes the drink and says: 'So fragrant.'

Looking at her, Wang says: 'So beautiful.'

Without missing a beat, she replies: 'Of course, it's Chanel.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Jan 30, 2009.