Review: Fatih – The Prince and the Drum by NADI Singapura (Pesta Raya 2019)

An epic, joyous production elevating the art of drumming to new heights.  There are some productions that can only be described as nothing more than pure joy to watch. Fatih – The Prince and the Drum, happens to be one such production, as it cleverly uses a mix of Malay percussion, song, martial arts and staging to make a familiar tale of a fallen prince seeking … Continue reading Review: Fatih – The Prince and the Drum by NADI Singapura (Pesta Raya 2019)

Review: The Seen and Unseen (Sekala Niskala) by Kamila Andini (Pesta Raya 2019)

Clear direction and precise choreography make this highly spiritual work a success. Transitioning from one medium to another can be a daunting task, with the biggest question being “what does the new form add that the old one did not?” But for Indonesian director Kamila Andini, the answer to that is clear, with the stage adaptation of her 2017 film The Seen and Unseen. Born out … Continue reading Review: The Seen and Unseen (Sekala Niskala) by Kamila Andini (Pesta Raya 2019)

Preview: Subtle Downtempo No by Murasaki Penguin and RAW Moves

Ever found a shirt that wouldn’t fit properly? Or made to feel like an outlier because you didn’t fit into the system?  Coming to you this July as part of their 2019-20 season of Systems, local contemporary dance company RAW Moves and Australian/Japanese dance company Murasaki Penguin come together to present Subtle Downtempo No, a performance where, through dance, sound, light and the flow of time the … Continue reading Preview: Subtle Downtempo No by Murasaki Penguin and RAW Moves

Preview: Fatih – The Prince and the Drum by NADI Singapura (Pesta Raya 2019)

As the annual Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of the Arts returns this weekend, expect the Esplanade to come awash in a flurry of activity as the space is enlivened by a carefully curated variety of performing arts from the Malay Archipelago, from famous regional singers and bands, to children’s theatre, to dance and theatre. Headlining the festival is the first large-scale commission of a … Continue reading Preview: Fatih – The Prince and the Drum by NADI Singapura (Pesta Raya 2019)

Preview: The Seen & Unseen by Kamila Andini (Pesta Raya 2019)

This weekend, the Esplanade’s annual Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of the Arts returns to present a finely curated selection of performing arts from the Malay Archipelago, ranging from well-known regional singers, children’s plays, and of course, theatre and dance. Of these, they will be premiering Indonesian artist Kamila Andini’s The Seen and Unseen, a theatrical/dance performance inspired by her film of the same name, as performed … Continue reading Preview: The Seen & Unseen by Kamila Andini (Pesta Raya 2019)

Preview: Dancers’ Locker 2019 by Frontier Danceland

Originally conceived as a platform for company artists to explore their own choreography, Frontier Danceland Dancers’ Locker has now become a mainstay of their annual performance calendar. Showcasing emerging choreographers as they develop their ideas, take risks and create dance works that are fresh and innovative, this year’s edition features choreographers Keigo Nozaki (Japan) and Ma Yueru (Singapore) as they present brand new works. But beyond simply presenting … Continue reading Preview: Dancers’ Locker 2019 by Frontier Danceland

An Interview with Paris Opera Ballet Étoiles Léonore Baulac and Germain Louvet

Last weekend, the world famous, 300-year strong Paris Opera Ballet arrived at the Esplanade to perform some of the greatest contemporary hits in their repertoire. Performing William Forsythe’s Blake Works I, Jerome Robbins’ In the Night, and Crystal Pite’s The Season’s Canon, audiences were hyped, to say the least, about the rare opportunity to catch not one but three incredible performances in one sitting. Following an afternoon rehearsal on their … Continue reading An Interview with Paris Opera Ballet Étoiles Léonore Baulac and Germain Louvet

Review: INALA – A Zulu Ballet, produced by Sisters Grimm

Uniting the traditional and contemporary to create a timeless work exuding joy and good vibes.  Rarely has ballet been an art form associated with South Africa, much less combined with Zulu music performed by a gospel choir. For the INALA: A Zulu Ballet then, its rare and innovative premise is likely to have been the fuel to its ever growing success since its debut at the 2014 … Continue reading Review: INALA – A Zulu Ballet, produced by Sisters Grimm

Review: Paris Opera Ballet presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Three works that showcase why Paris Opera Ballet remains one of the best ballet companies in the world. While most audiences tend to associate ballet with classical works, the best ballet companies of today have slowly but surely made the move towards a mix of both the contemporary and the classical. And for a company as renowned and respected as the Paris Opera Ballet, they’ve become … Continue reading Review: Paris Opera Ballet presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Preview: Paris Opera Ballet presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

With its history of over 300 years, the world-renowned Paris Opera Ballet is often considered the birthplace of classical dance. Even today, the company continues to pursue excellence as it performs repertory work and creation of new choreographies. While it’s rare for the company to travel to Asia, this June, Singaporeans will get a chance to see the company in action as they tour to … Continue reading Preview: Paris Opera Ballet presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay