Ng Mun Poh considers what home means to her in a one woman show. Born in Kuala Lumpur and based in Singapore, theatremaker Ng Mun Poh has spent the last 18 years of her life travelling between her two “homes”. But over the last few years, Mun Poh suddenly found herself caught in two minds as she wondered to herself – does she really belong … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: almost home《我以为家》by The Theatre Practice
Life and times of Singapore’s founding father traces our road to independence. Playing a national figure onstage is never an easy task, particularly when it comes to politicians held in high regard. And when it comes to the founding father of a nation, it can be incredibly stressful to maintain the fine line between a respectful depiction and entertainment value – in a musical, no … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: The LKY Musical (2022) by Aiwei and Singapore Repertory Theatre
Confronting the toxic relationship between state and artist. In the past, Alfian Sa’at was known as Singapore’s enfant terrible, one of only a few who dared to bring up hard truths and criticism of society, often directed at the authorities. But as time went by, with the proliferation of social media giving almost everyone a voice, and years of raging against the machine, Alfian’s work … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: The Death of Singapore Theatre as Scripted By the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore by Alfian Sa’at
Twin operas about the telephone explore their impact on love and human relations. These days, everyone has a smartphone in their pocket, a device we can’t possibly live without. And even though they’ve long moved past simply being a means to call, with a flurry of social media apps and rapid back and forth texting, they remain as integral and disruptive as they’ve ever been, … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Telephones by New Opera Singapore
Kidnapping gone wrong leads to closer look at class and racial tensions. Kidnappings in Singapore are few and far between, so when one happens, it’s almost always a matter of national interest. But beyond the tension derived from rescuing a hostage, what if a kidnapping was viewed from the kidnapper’s point of view, and used as a means to understand class differences? First developed under … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Ransom by A Mirage
Clash of ideas turn a simple family melodrama into overwrought fever dream. Looking at the rising divorce rates in Singapore and around the world, it is all too easy to blame it on flaky couples who lack commitment, precluding the collapse of the institution of marriage and the family unit. But the reality is, relationships are much more complicated than simply signing a paper, and … Continue reading ★★☆☆☆ Review: Surviving Hope by The Flux Media
Letting go and moving on, one object at a time. According to Japanese decluttering consultant Marie Kondo, the key question one must first ask before deciding to keep or toss a physical object is “Does it spark joy?” But often, that is a query that leads to even further doubts – how do we know if it sparks joy or not? That is the question … Continue reading Review: Declutter Me! by Grace Kalaiselvi
In the anthropocene, we go where the light leads us. Dimitris Papaioannou choreographs like an artist – the scenes we bear witness to are all about the visuals, shifting between unconventional imagery and absurd situation, never easy to understand upon first look, but always striking, and capable of producing a visceral, emotional reaction. Every moment onstage is like witnessing a painting in motion, and rarely … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Transverse Orientation by Dimitris Papaioannou
No holds barred production in an all-out performance from these Singapore icons. Ever since they first performed at the Esplanade in 2002, Dream Academy’s Dim Sum Dollies have established themselves as three of Singapore’s most recognizable icons in the local theatre scene. Not only have they dazzled countless audience members over the years with big sets and glitzy costumes, but also daring to address pertinent … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Dim Sum Dollies – Still Steam by Dream Academy
A necessary production for a world in want of greater empathy. Actors have a reputation for being dramatic. It’s their profession after all, to perform and to present people and situations that are often exaggerated and emotionally-charged, to entertain and evoke catharsis in paying audiences. But we often forget that actors are far more than just blank slates, morphing and becoming whatever role they’ve been … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Acting Mad by The Necessary Stage
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