★★★★★ Review: Geng Rebut Cabinet (GRC) by Teater Ekamatra

Timely, charged play that skilfully skewers the pitfalls of politics, and how change is almost impossible from within. Politicians have never had it easy. On one hand, they have to ensure that they gain the adoration of the citizens such that they can secure the popular vote and remain in power. On the other hand, how much change can they actually achieve, as they compromise … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Geng Rebut Cabinet (GRC) by Teater Ekamatra

Review: GAME PLAY – Dungeons & Distractions (SMU Arts Fest 2024)

Enthusiastic audience participation and a winsome storyline lands a critical hit and sparks joy in the crowd. Theatre doesn’t always have to be a serious affair, as proven by GAME PLAY, an immersive experience that played as part of the 2024 SMU Arts Fest last weekend. Creative producers Jo Tan, Edward Choy and Terrance Tan came together to bring Dungeons & Dragons to life, with … Continue reading Review: GAME PLAY – Dungeons & Distractions (SMU Arts Fest 2024)

★★★★★ Review: Miss Saigon by Base Entertainment Asia

Look beyond the ‘romance’ and you’ll find a scathing criticism of war and the pain it leaves in Schönberg and Boublil’s classic tragedy. Miss Saigon is often considered one of Broadway and the West End’s biggest legacy musicals, with a beautiful score composed by the duo that made smash hit Les Miserables, show stopping special effects and choreography that leave you breathless with its theatrics, … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Miss Saigon by Base Entertainment Asia

★★★☆☆ Review: One Day We’ll Understand 有那么一天​ by Sim Chi Yin

Performance-lecture on biased historiography and hidden knowledge urges us to critically reconstruct our interpretations to formulate our own version of the truth. The Malayan Emergency in the late 1940s continues to remain a traumatic memory for many Chinese Malaysians, where families would recall relatives hurriedly leaving the country, or worse – hauled away for questioning over suspected Communist relations, and never seen again, at least, … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: One Day We’ll Understand 有那么一天​ by Sim Chi Yin

★★★★☆ Review: Lotus Root Support Group (2024) by Impromptu Meetings

Balls to the walls – literally, as play about cyst-ers in PCOS goes wilder and more personal in its reboot. While its title and promo image may look more or less identical to its 2022 version, Impromptu Meetings’ new staging of Lotus Root Support Group is in fact, a completely different incarnation that sees creators Shannen Tan and Miriam Cheong shedding the characters they devised … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Lotus Root Support Group (2024) by Impromptu Meetings

★★★★☆ Review: Rhapsody in Yellow by Ming Wong

A deeper look at USA-China relations and their respective histories through a musical lens. The relationship between China and America has always been a fraught one, due to their inherent competition as fellow superpowers vying for influence, and their opposing ideologies. But it is when no compromise can be made that softer approaches come into play, that is, through means such as sports and the … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Rhapsody in Yellow by Ming Wong

★★★☆☆ 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