Dongpo – Life in Poems: Director Shen Wei on bringing the famous Chinese poet’s works to life onstage

The acclaimed choreographer talks about the poet, artist and restless traveller who inspired Dongpo: Life in Poems, making its Singapore debut this December. There is a piece of calligraphy written by Shen Wei’s father hanging in the choreographer’s New York apartment. It features the work of Su Dongpo, the legendary Song Dynasty poet who has occupied much of Shen’s thoughts in recent years. The connection … Continue reading Dongpo – Life in Poems: Director Shen Wei on bringing the famous Chinese poet’s works to life onstage

★★★★★ Theatre Review: CATS The Musical (2026) by Base Entertainment Asia

An eccentric, otherworldly musical that embraces its own peculiarities, this latest production of CATS is a mesmerising showcase of theatrical imagination, feline physicality and musical grandeur. Duration: 150 minutes, including a 20 minute intermission There is perhaps no other musical quite like Cats. Even by the standards of Andrew Lloyd Webber, it is an unusual beast, with a premise that is difficult to explain, a … Continue reading ★★★★★ Theatre Review: CATS The Musical (2026) by Base Entertainment Asia

Design: Philanthropy that thinks outside the box with Lien Foundation’s ‘Radical Remedies’ first-aid kit

With its 2024/2025 biennial report, Lien Foundation turns a familiar first-aid kit into an unconventional portrait of radical philanthropy. In collaboration with Kinetic Singapore, the project explores how creativity can make difficult social issues more accessible, challenge established ideas of care and inspire new ways of thinking about impact. Annual reports are not usually objects people look forward to opening, let alone keeping within reach. … Continue reading Design: Philanthropy that thinks outside the box with Lien Foundation’s ‘Radical Remedies’ first-aid kit

★★★★☆ Opera Review: Verdi’s La Traviata by The Opera People

The Opera People’s Singapore-set production of Verdi’s beloved opera is a colourful, engaging theatrical experience that preserves the emotional force of the original while giving it distinct local flavour. Duration: 150 minutes, with two 15 minute intermissions, Performance attended 29 October 2026 Opera always provides good melodrama. Give it romance, social disapproval, a family feud, a public humiliation and an impending tragedy, and you have … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Opera Review: Verdi’s La Traviata by The Opera People

Art: Singaporean artist Tang Kok Soo’s “A Big Flower” wins UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year Award 2026

From a field of repeated hearts and light to paintings exploring memory, social identity and the interconnectedness of life, this year’s UOB Painting of the Year winners reveal how Southeast Asian artists are expanding the possibilities of painting. A flower composed of countless tiny pink ‘hearts;, each radiating its own halo of light, has earned Singapore artist Tang Kok Soo both the 2026 UOB Southeast … Continue reading Art: Singaporean artist Tang Kok Soo’s “A Big Flower” wins UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year Award 2026

Art: No Straight Lines by The Independent People explores the intimacy of being seen

There is jam and butter beside the loaf of bread. Not a metaphorical pat of butter, not a painted image of butter, but quite literally, butter, set out with a butter knife beside a lampshade made from a loaf. It is a funny little arrangement, almost absurdly literal. It is also a rather good introduction to No Straight Lines, an exhibition that understands how much … Continue reading Art: No Straight Lines by The Independent People explores the intimacy of being seen

Art: Helutrans (Thailand) connects people and art with BAB Fringe’s Chiang Mai Artists’ Studios

Art has a way of bringing people together, crossing boundaries of place, experience and perspective. Through its work in art logistics and its new exhibition space in Thailand, Helutrans is exploring how the movement of art can become a meeting point between artists and the wider world. BANGKOK, THAILAND – A work of art begins somewhere: in a studio filled with unfinished ideas, beside a … Continue reading Art: Helutrans (Thailand) connects people and art with BAB Fringe’s Chiang Mai Artists’ Studios

Review: The Sammi Zhen Show – Love Cannot Wait

Drag legend Sammi Zhen’s debut live talk show is a reminder to live, laugh and love before it’s too late. After 27 years in Singapore’s Chinese drag scene, Sammi Zhen has earned the right to have the stage all to herself. A familiar face to those who frequent the clubs and events she has hosted over the years, she is something of a local legend, … Continue reading Review: The Sammi Zhen Show – Love Cannot Wait

Maybank Singapore turns scam phrases into art with new campaign ‘The Most Expensive Words’

From promises of risk-free returns to urgent messages supposedly sent by the bank, familiar phrases take on a different meaning in a calligraphy exhibition that invites visitors to look closer, think twice and recognise the real cost of scams. Some words are easy to overlook. A message from someone claiming to be a bank officer, an old acquaintance asking for help, or an investment opportunity … Continue reading Maybank Singapore turns scam phrases into art with new campaign ‘The Most Expensive Words’

Bangkok Art Biennale 2026: Dr. Apinan Poshyananda on finding the grey areas through art

As the Bangkok Art Biennale returns for its fifth edition, its artistic director discusses the tensions behind Angels & Mara, the challenges of bringing contemporary art into unexpected spaces, and how a festival that began in 2018 has learned to survive and grow. BANGKOK, THAILAND – Returning from 29 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, the Bangkok Art Biennale will once again transform the Thai … Continue reading Bangkok Art Biennale 2026: Dr. Apinan Poshyananda on finding the grey areas through art