★★★☆☆ Review: Playing with Fire by Checkpoint Theatre

Metatheatrical look at the research process behind a play, and what it means to keep each other safe. Ever since the concept of sustainability and the looming climate crisis entered the public consciousness, the petrochemical industry has risen to become or at least close to, public enemy number one for their continued burning of fossil fuels, and the endless, rising stream of carbon emissions. Why … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Playing with Fire by Checkpoint Theatre

Review: Dick Lee 50th Anniversary Concert

The life and times of Dick Lee in one big concert extravaganza. There are some singers that come and go, and then, there are icons. For Singapore, that icon comes in the form of singer-songwriter Dick Lee. Holding accolades among the likes of being a Cultural Medallion recipient, as well as first Asian Steinway Artist, Dick celebrated 50 years in show business and the music … Continue reading Review: Dick Lee 50th Anniversary Concert

★★★★★ Review: Disgraced (2024) by Singapore Repertory Theatre

Fear and self-loathing in Islamophobic America. There’s a common saying that one of the worst pieces of advice to give to anyone is to ‘just be yourself’. Indeed, as much as a country like the USA posits itself as one that welcomes individualism and uniqueness, there also often seems to be certain OB markers where the moment you step even a little outside of what … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Disgraced (2024) by Singapore Repertory Theatre

★★☆☆☆ Review: National Day Charade by Wild Rice

Meta-commentary on the annual NDP sees how Wild Rice would celebrate National Day, their way. Whether you see it as propaganda or a celebration of nationhood, the annual National Day Parade (NDP) is without a doubt one of the quintessential parts of the Singapore calendar. But how accurate is it, really, of reflecting our lives as Singaporeans, and representing our hopes, dreams and often complicated … Continue reading ★★☆☆☆ Review: National Day Charade by Wild Rice

★★★★★ Review: Wonderland 乐园 dir. Chai Yee Wei

Mark Lee shows off an emotional, career-best performance in this nostalgic independent film about the ties that bind. The idea of an amusement park is a rarity in Singapore today, often relegated to pop-ups during big events, or simply a relic of the past. Imagining it evokes nostalgia, for a simpler time when it was all families had to look forward to, a symbol of … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Wonderland 乐园 dir. Chai Yee Wei

★★★☆☆ Review: All The World’s A Sea by The Theatre Practice

Ambitious speculative fiction epic questions how we will find our way amidst an unknown future. Facing the waves of chaos that rock our world, it can oftentimes feel impossible to overcome the overwhelming feelings of displacement all around us, from the helplessness felt towards climate change and war, to the sense that we’re being left behind as technological fast approaches the singularity, and the world … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: All The World’s A Sea by The Theatre Practice

★★★★☆ Review: Phinny & Wally by Nine Years Theatre

Nine Years Theatre’s foray into children’s theatre tugs at the heartstrings and covers a sea of themes. In the world of children’s theatre, a show often has to go beyond pure entertainment, to also include teachable moments and life lessons for its young audiences to take away. The quality of a children’s show then hinges on the execution of several core tenets, including the level … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Phinny & Wally by Nine Years Theatre

Review: Bohong & Janji by Teater Kami

Teater Kami’s new Black Box Series opens the door to a wealth of new possibilities and what-ifs. While special effects and huge production elements can be fun, oftentimes, the magic of theatre instead comes from the art of a good, sincere performance. In Teater Kami’s new Black Box series, the Malay theatre company goes back to basics and focuses on showcasing Malay actors in brand … Continue reading Review: Bohong & Janji by Teater Kami

★★★★☆ Review: Air by Drama Box

Portrait of a disappearing community told with sincerity and creativity through documentary verbatim theatre. Documentary and verbatim theatre can be a tricky genre to stage, requiring actors to embody and speak on the behalf of interviewees, rather than featuring them as in a documentary film. Particularly when it comes to marginalised groups, verbatim theatre runs the risk of bordering on appropriation, and even exploitation if … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Air by Drama Box

★★★★☆ Review: tick, tick…Boom! by Sight Lines Productions

Navigating adulthood and friendships as an aspiring artist in Jonathan Larson’s other musical. Before smash hit musical Rent, Jonathan Larson was very much a struggling composer trying to catch his big break in New York City. Fast approaching 30 years old and saddled with the fear of never making it big in life, Larson’s story is a familiar one to many similar hopeful young artists … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: tick, tick…Boom! by Sight Lines Productions