★★★☆☆ Book Review: The Years of Forgetting by Sofia Abdullah

It takes many moons before one can finally move on. There’s an article I was reading the other day about how a woman who was sexually abused as a child continued to carry this intense trauma inside her into her adulthood. Triggered by seeing her abuser lead a relatively happy life, with no visible guilt, that trauma manifested as an intense desire to kill not … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: The Years of Forgetting by Sofia Abdullah

★★★★☆ Review: The Year of No Return by The Necessary Stage (SIFA 2021)

The climate is changing for the worse – so when will we change for the better? The Year of No Return is possibly one of The Necessary Stage’s (TNS) most ambitious productions yet. Bringing together an international cast, the play tackles the expansive topic of climate change and our efforts to stop it, all while dealing with the new restrictions placed on them by the … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: The Year of No Return by The Necessary Stage (SIFA 2021)

★★★★☆ Review: The Journey by Scott Silven (SIFA 2021)

Magical storytelling that bringing us closer online. I’m a cynic at heart, and have always known that stage magic is a matter of sleight of hand, misdirection and trickery to pull off an act. And when magic is performed via a digital medium, one cannot help but suspect its ‘authenticity’ even more, given how easy it is to manipulate videos and video feeds. But there’s … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: The Journey by Scott Silven (SIFA 2021)

★★★☆☆ Review: As Far As Isolation Goes by Tania El Khoury and Basel Zaara (SIFA 2021)

An encounter with a refugee opens our eyes to the human pain behind the conflict. Moving to a new home can be hard. But it’s especially hard for refugees from war-torn nations finding themselves in a strange new land, reeling from the trauma of the past, adapting to their new life, and resisting strangers’ dirty looks and the creeping fear of feeling completely, absolutely alone. … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: As Far As Isolation Goes by Tania El Khoury and Basel Zaara (SIFA 2021)

Art What!: Art Basel Hong Kong 2021 Show Report

The highly anticipated 9th edition of Art Basel Hong Kong closed on Sunday, May 23, 2021, amid reports of consistently strong sales across all sectors and market segments, both to collectors present in the halls and those connecting with galleries digitally. Running in parallel to the physical show, ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong’, brought the experience of the fair to audiences around the world through … Continue reading Art What!: Art Basel Hong Kong 2021 Show Report

Practice’s ‘The Bride Always Knocks Twice – Killer Secrets’ goes fully digital

With the announcement of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) on 14 May 2021, The Theatre Practice (Practice) confirms that their upcoming interactive murder mystery The Bride Always Knocks Twice — Killer Secrets will continue as a fully digital production. This marks the second major Practice production affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, after Four Horse Road 2020’s early closure last April. “ We’re disappointed but the show … Continue reading Practice’s ‘The Bride Always Knocks Twice – Killer Secrets’ goes fully digital

Going Green: An Interview with Inge Kotze, General Manager of ecotourism brand Singita

For ecotourism brand Singita, their 100-year old purpose isn’t just a timestamp; it’s proof that they’re in the conservation game for the long run. The story started a century ago when a remote corner of the Lowveld was purchased by their founder’s grandfather, that piece of land eventually became the Sabi Sand Reserve, becoming an exclusive conservation reserve where all species are protected. Even today, … Continue reading Going Green: An Interview with Inge Kotze, General Manager of ecotourism brand Singita

Going Green: The Future of Wine – An Interview with VIVANT wine advisor Matt Ayre

Just because we can’t gather in large groups anymore, doesn’t mean we can’t find a way to enjoy ourselves together, apart. Even when it comes to something like wine tasting, given enough innovation and out of the box thinking, it’s completely possible to replicate the experience online. Which is why for anyone, anywhere in the world looking to expand their knowledge in the field, the … Continue reading Going Green: The Future of Wine – An Interview with VIVANT wine advisor Matt Ayre

Preview: Fei Yue’s Toast To 30 Fundraiser

In today’s new normal, companies and industries such as F&B are not the only ones pivoting online, catering products and services for people at home. Charities too have had to cope with disruption and up their game by embracing digitalisation for their administrative functions, services towards beneficiaries, engaging volunteers, and raising much-needed funds that will support their vital work. For the first time in its … Continue reading Preview: Fei Yue’s Toast To 30 Fundraiser

★★★☆☆ Review: Three Sisters by Nine Years Theatre and SITI Company (SIFA 2021)

Cross-continent, multilingual hybrid adaptation of Chekhov a valiant effort but flawed in execution. Ideally, collaborations between arts companies should produce work that take the very best of each company’s style and elevate the final production to new heights. It is especially exciting to see cross-border collaborations, where the contrasts in artistic philosophy and culture may lead to surprising results. But collaborations are by no means … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Three Sisters by Nine Years Theatre and SITI Company (SIFA 2021)