Huayi Festival 2019: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by Li Liuyi Theatre Studio (Review)

Tragedy seems written in the stars in this lengthy production as the cosmos themselves bid our sweet prince goodnight.  Ranking among Shakespeare’s best works, it’s little surprise that Hamlet has seen countless productions and interpretations over the centuries. Opening the Esplanade’s Huayi Festival 2019, director Li Liuyi’s latest production of the piece sees the moody protagonist played by film star Hu Jun (Red Cliff, East Palace West Palace), … Continue reading Huayi Festival 2019: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by Li Liuyi Theatre Studio (Review)

In London’s (Off) West End 2019: My White Best Friend and Other Letters Left Unsaid at the Bunker Theatre (Preview)

LONDON – 2019 is here, and we still live in a time where white feminism runs rampant, blackface happens from time to time, and racism and discrimination are well and alive. How do we strengthen the move for change and be inclusive, and tell white people themselves that they are part of the problem such that they just get it? Writer Rachel De-Lahay and director Milli Bhatia … Continue reading In London’s (Off) West End 2019: My White Best Friend and Other Letters Left Unsaid at the Bunker Theatre (Preview)

Touring The UK: The Trials of Oscar Wilde (Preview)

LONDON – If anyone is familiar with Wildean history at all, one would know that just days after the celebrated opening of The Importance of Being Earnest, he started legal proceedings against The Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel – a rash action leading to three scandalous trials that would go on to destroy his career, wreck his family and see him sentenced to two years … Continue reading Touring The UK: The Trials of Oscar Wilde (Preview)

Preview: First Storeys by Sean Cham (The Future of Our Pasts Festival)

Sean Cham’s 2019 is fast shaping up to be one of his busiest ones yet – hot on the heels of his photo exhibition This Is Where as part of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2019, the young artist returns this March to present an ambitious new work as part of Yale-NUS’ The Future of Our Pasts Festival. Titled First Storeys, punning on the homonym of ‘stories’ … Continue reading Preview: First Storeys by Sean Cham (The Future of Our Pasts Festival)

In London’s (Off) West-End 2019: Dinner is Coming at The Vaults (Preview)

LONDON – Is it prescience that allowed the Vaults to coincide their latest immersive dining experience with the premiere of the final season of HBO’s Game of Thrones? Someone must have leaked a few spoilers, because this April, it’s time to get ready as the Several Kingdoms come together for a game of draconic proportions – Dinner is Coming. A loving parody of Game of Thrones, Dinner is Coming brings together … Continue reading In London’s (Off) West-End 2019: Dinner is Coming at The Vaults (Preview)

In London’s (Off) West End 2019: Greyscale at Soho Theatre by Anonymous Is A Woman (Preview)

LONDON – In the wake of the 2018 Aziz Ansari scandal, consent and learning to recognize it became a hot button issue, especially in light of the growing #MeToo movement and the exposure of sexual harassment in Hollywood. With that in mind, in Greyscale, playwrights Madeline Gould and Joel Samuels have both written monologues for characters on a date without conferring. Playing as part of VAULT Festival … Continue reading In London’s (Off) West End 2019: Greyscale at Soho Theatre by Anonymous Is A Woman (Preview)

In London’s (Off) West End 2019: Mouthpiece at Soho Theatre (Preview)

LONDON – Two sides of a city exist in ignorance of each other – how do we tell someone else’s story without letting poverty become poverty porn? Following a sold out, critically-acclaimed run at the Traverse Theatre in 2018, Fringe First winner Kieran Hurley is touring Mouthpiece to Soho Theatre this April. Directed by former Traverse Artistic Director Orla O’Loughlin, the production sees Neve McIntosh and … Continue reading In London’s (Off) West End 2019: Mouthpiece at Soho Theatre (Preview)

Touring The UK: The Isle of Brimsker by Frozen Light (Preview)

LONDON – Designed specifically for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), Frozen Light theatre company presents The Isle of Brimsker. Embarking on an extended UK tour from now till June, The Isle of Brimsker gives these people with disabilities a chance to experience the magic of theatre with this multi-sensory story of discovery, friendship, isolation and how we react to change. Knowing that over 16,000 people in England live … Continue reading Touring The UK: The Isle of Brimsker by Frozen Light (Preview)

Preview: Still Life by Checkpoint Theatre

Last year, we caught a preview of a new play from Checkpoint Theatre while it was still in development. Now, that play is finally ready to be staged, as Checkpoint Theatre premieres artist-writer Dana Lam’s Still Life as the very first production of their 2019 season this February. Directed and dramaturged by Checkpoint Theatre co-artistic director Claire Wong, Still Life is Dana Lam’s reflection on her life and art-making, … Continue reading Preview: Still Life by Checkpoint Theatre

In London’s (Off) West End 2019: Blue Elephant Theatre Wins Five OffWestend.com People’s Vote Awards

LONDON – Blue Elephant Theatre in Camberwell has won in five of nine categories in the OffWestend.com People’s Vote awards. Announced at the Offwestend.com ‘Offies’ Ceremony, held in the newly reopened Grand Hall of Battersea Arts Centre, the People’s Vote allows the public to vote for their favourite theatre venue across nine different categories. The team at the Blue Elephant were especially delighted to win ‘Most … Continue reading In London’s (Off) West End 2019: Blue Elephant Theatre Wins Five OffWestend.com People’s Vote Awards