A new cast member and a tighter script keeps Chinatown Crossings as rewatchable and poignant as ever. When we watched Chinatown Crossings last year, little did we expect it to end up becoming one of our favourite productions of 2018. With a sold out run, it was heartening to hear that Drama Box had managed to bring it back again this year so more audience … Continue reading Review: Chinatown Crossings 2019 by Drama Box
The origin story of Pulau Ubin as a Mandarin musical. From criticism of our colonial past to entire installations about Sang Nila Utama and beyond, the Bicentennial year has ensured that a bumper crop of new plays would emerge looking back on Singapore’s history. Amongst these is the Fool Theatre’s latest production, a brand new, original Mandarin musical, which, in contrast to some of the more … Continue reading Review: Rock Guardians of the Sea (守护海洋的神岛) by The Fool Theatre
Three works that prove Singapore’s dance scene is ever bold and ever dynamic. Playing as part of the 2019 M1 Contact Contemporary Dance Festival, DiverCity acts as one of the festival’s many platforms to showcase the most exciting new choreographies and emerging talent. This year’s edition of the annual platform presents not one but three works from up and coming local independent dance artists, giving … Continue reading M1 Contact Contemporary Dance Festival 2019: DiverCity (Review)
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)
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)
KUALA LUMPUR – It makes complete sense for a musical on tour to schedule the next closest country as its next stop. In the case of The Phantom of the Opera, that country would be Malaysia, following its recent run in Singapore. But what is perhaps so significant about this particular stop is that Malaysia hasn’t seen a musical of this scale tour to it for years, if … Continue reading Arts in Malaysia: The Phantom of the Opera at Istana Budaya, presented by BASE Entertainment Asia
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
A poignant reflection on the ever-confusing nature of death and mortality. KUALA LUMPUR – Newly devised by Theatresauce, DUST is a brand new, multi-lingual work that explores the concept of mortality, pieced together from the stories, dreams and imaginations of its five performers, each deeply affected by experiences and questions surrounding death, grief, and ultimately, life. Directed by Esther Liew, DUST comprising a series of expressive visual and auditory montages … Continue reading Art in Malaysia: Dust by Theatresauce (Review)
Born in Mumbai, Chef Garima Arora is only in her early 30s, and already, she’s been challenging all the norms, becoming the first Indian woman ever to win a Michelin star in 2018 for her restaurant Gaa, itself an establishment that learns from traditional Indian techniques to create contemporary cuisine with ingredients sourced from its home in Bangkok, Thailand. Initially having wanted to pursue a … Continue reading EXCLUSIVE – Bangkok Getaway: An Interview with Chef Garima Arora of Restaurant Gaa
BANGKOK, THAILAND – When Gaggan set up shop in Bangkok and was crowned Asia’s No. 1 Restaurant time and time again, it was only a matter of time before the Thai capital’s food scene rapidly developed and began garnering one Michelin star after another. Of this new wave of fine dining restaurants that swept the city, it is natural that having tried Gaggan, the next restaurant we already … Continue reading Bangkok Getaway: Finding a Home Away From Home at Restaurant Gaa
