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)

Arts in Malaysia: The Phantom of the Opera at Istana Budaya, presented by BASE Entertainment Asia

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

Preview: Pesta Raya 2019 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

The Esplanade’s Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of the Arts is back this June to once again highlight the varied arts and culture from across the wide expanse of the the nusantara (Malay Archipelago). Held together by the same rooted beliefs and culture, this year’s festival celebrates that diversity and richness from across its heritage, history and people. Once again coinciding with the celebration of Hari … Continue reading Preview: Pesta Raya 2019 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Review: The Phantom of the Opera presented by BASE Entertainment Asia

Musical perfection is hard to argue against. As one of the world’s most famous musicals, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera needs little to no introduction for anyone with even a little knowledge of musical theatre. From the West End to Broadway, to numerous international tours all around the world, The Phantom of the Opera has stunned and enchanted an infinitum of audience members across the … Continue reading Review: The Phantom of the Opera presented by BASE Entertainment Asia

The Studios 2019: My Grandfather’s Road (RHDS) (English Version) by Neo Kim Seng (Review)

Return to Neo Pee Teck Lane. Neo Kim Seng’s My Grandfather’s Road is back, this time as part of the Esplanade’s 2019 season of The Studios. While overall following the same plot and arc as the last time we watched it. Now taking place in the Esplanade Theatre Studio, our experience begins even before we step into the performance space, where Kim Seng has set up … Continue reading The Studios 2019: My Grandfather’s Road (RHDS) (English Version) by Neo Kim Seng (Review)

The Studios 2019: An Interview with Playwrights Neo Kim Seng, Gary Tang and Tan Cher Kian of My Grandfather’s Road (RHDS)

Neo Kim Seng’s My Grandfather’s Road has had a wild journey since it was first created in 2015 for Cake Theatrical Productions’ Running with Strippers. The biographical work was based on the history of his actual grandfather Neo Pee Teck, which had a side road in Pasir Panjang named after him, and has gone on not only to become published as a book, but also a Cantonese version … Continue reading The Studios 2019: An Interview with Playwrights Neo Kim Seng, Gary Tang and Tan Cher Kian of My Grandfather’s Road (RHDS)

The Studios 2019: Mergers and Accusations (Review)

The ties that bind us are frayed in this revival of a Singaporean LGBTQ classic. Written by Eleanor Wong in 1993, 16 years on, Mergers and Accusations remains one of Singapore’s most seminal queer theatrical works. Dripping with sarcastic wit and rapid fire legal jargon, the play remains relevant even today for its unabashed portrayal of citizens afraid to come out of the closet for fear of the impact … Continue reading The Studios 2019: Mergers and Accusations (Review)

The Studios 2019: An Interview with Director Chen Yingxuan and Performer Oon Shu An of Mergers & Accusations

Eleanor Wong is sometimes better known for her position as a law professor at NUS’ Faculty of Law. But to most of the arts community, she is perhaps best known for her seminal Invitation to Treat trilogy of plays, narratively linked by their protagonist, Ellen Toh. Set in the 90s, Ellen is a lawyer who realises she is a lesbian. But coming out, both to society and … Continue reading The Studios 2019: An Interview with Director Chen Yingxuan and Performer Oon Shu An of Mergers & Accusations

The Studios 2019: Miss British by The Art of Strangers (Review)

Post-colonial blues from the personal stories of three minority actresses.  With a title like Miss British, it’s easy to assume that the second show of the Esplanade’s 2019 The Studios Season is all about British identity. It’s a misnomer, and in fact, deals primarily with the impact, trauma and legacy that British colonialism has left behind on minorities. Directed by Felipe Cervera, Miss British comes at a timely … Continue reading The Studios 2019: Miss British by The Art of Strangers (Review)