Singaporean artist Liu Xiaoyi awarded the “Global Outstanding Young Leader” Award by Yazhou Zhoukan

Liu Xiaoyi, Artistic Director of Emergency Stairs, has been honoured with the “Global Outstanding Young Leader” award by Yazhou Zhoukan (Asiaweek). He received the award at Yazhou Zhoukan’s 36th Anniversary Gala held on 9th August 2024. “In 1995, contemporary artist Tang Da Wu created a renowned piece of performance art. During the opening of an exhibition, he presented a card to then-President Ong Teng Cheong … Continue reading Singaporean artist Liu Xiaoyi awarded the “Global Outstanding Young Leader” Award by Yazhou Zhoukan

Preview: SMU Arts Fest 2024 – PLAY

Located in the heart of the city, in the midst of the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct, Singapore Management University has long been a landmark of the city centre, thronging with student life or sometimes, just a convenient location for people to meet and gather. And this August and September, SMU is once again lighting up the campus with a series of performances with their annual SMU … Continue reading Preview: SMU Arts Fest 2024 – PLAY

★★☆☆☆ Review: Oleanna by Major Minor Encounters and The Windland Collective

Two-hander pitting professor against student in battle of allegations, yet lacking in power. While revered as among the most dramatic in theatre, David Mamet’s plays have never been easy to stage, often requiring seasoned actors with a certain aura to carry both the weight and length of his dialogue. As such, younger theatremakers tend to struggle to deliver the full extent of the material onstage, … Continue reading ★★☆☆☆ Review: Oleanna by Major Minor Encounters and The Windland Collective

★★★★☆ 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

Preview: White, All White by The Necessary Stage

This October, get ready as The Necessary Stage (TNS) presents White, All White, a new play by TNS Associate Artist Deonn Yang, who also directs. Marking TNS’ first main season production helmed entirely by Deonn, White, All White is a life-affirming play that delves into the joys and tensions of family and personal dreams, giving audiences a glimpse into the quiet lives of a family … Continue reading Preview: White, All White by The Necessary Stage

Esplanade’s The Studios 2024: An Interview with director/playwright Wichaya Artamat and producer Sasapin Siriwanij on ‘This Song Father Used To Sing (Three Days In May)’

Fathers in Asian society have always had certain stereotypes associated with them – a sense of the austere, reserved and detached from openly expressing love for their children, and perhaps, even as a microcosm of the greater paternalistic, patriarchal governance style adopted by those in power. In many ways, a father is often an anchor within a family that determines their relations and dynamics, resulting … Continue reading Esplanade’s The Studios 2024: An Interview with director/playwright Wichaya Artamat and producer Sasapin Siriwanij on ‘This Song Father Used To Sing (Three Days In May)’

An Interview with Shannen Tan and Miriam Cheong on McDonald’s, pain and friendship in ‘Lotus Root Support Group’ (2024)

Back in 2022, fellow theatremakers Shannen Tan and Miriam Cheong found solace and friendship in each other over their shared pain – the fact that both of them suffered from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common yet often misunderstood endocrine disorder affecting up to 21% of women worldwide. Aiming to find a way to both educate others about the condition, while also sharing their own … Continue reading An Interview with Shannen Tan and Miriam Cheong on McDonald’s, pain and friendship in ‘Lotus Root Support Group’ (2024)

★★★★★ 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

Preview: Oleanna by Major Minor Encounters and The Windland Collective

This August, graduates from the Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI) will be staging an independent production of David Mamet’s controversial play, Oleanna. The production is the result of a collaboration between independent collectives Major Minor Encounters, co-founded by Singaporean theatre performer, playwright, and arts manager Choy Chee Yew, and The Windland Collective, co-founded by Swathilakshmi Perumal, actor and theatre-maker from Tamil Nadu, India. Both collectives strive … Continue reading Preview: Oleanna by Major Minor Encounters and The Windland Collective