Esplanade’s The Studios 2023: An Interview with assistant director Deonn Yang, and the cast of The Necessary Stage’s ‘Three Years In The Life and Death of Land’

Dysfunctional families are a staple in theatre and film, and are often the basis for tension, conflict, and understanding differences. In The Necessary Stage’s (TNS) Three Years In The Life and Death of Land, past pain and trauma are what threaten to tear a multiracial family apart. But in many ways, isn’t that precisely the struggle of the average Singaporean family, as they do whatever … Continue reading Esplanade’s The Studios 2023: An Interview with assistant director Deonn Yang, and the cast of The Necessary Stage’s ‘Three Years In The Life and Death of Land’

★★★☆☆ Review: Re:Assembly by Drama Box

The anatomy of tragedy, seen from multiple angles. So much of the time, Singaporeans are so focused on looking out for themselves, that they become blindsided to the darker, more problematic aspects of society, so much that they aren’t even aware when others are suffering in silence. That’s something that starts as young as one’s school days, and the earlier one becomes aware of it, … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Re:Assembly by Drama Box

An Interview with director Peter Sau and costume designer Max Tan, of ART:DIS’s musical ‘Chachambo:Taking Flight’

The draw of nostalgia has always been powerful, as we reminisce over the heyday of Singapore’s past, when lives were slower and simpler, and people were happier. Thinking back to yesteryear, we can only imagine the heady dancing that went on at entertainment clubs like New World, Great World and Gay World, where people could fully be themselves without judgment. But under our rose-tinted lenses, … Continue reading An Interview with director Peter Sau and costume designer Max Tan, of ART:DIS’s musical ‘Chachambo:Taking Flight’

An Interview with Claire Teo, playwright of ART:DIS’s ‘Chachambo:Taking Flight’

Filled with riveting drama, nostalgic songs and catchy dance numbers, be transported to the swinging ’60s of Singapore with Chachambo: Taking Flight. An original musical theatre production written and performed by an inclusive and intergenerational cast, Chachambo marks one of the biggest undertakings by non-profit organisation ART:DIS, which seeks to create learning and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities in the arts. This is by no … Continue reading An Interview with Claire Teo, playwright of ART:DIS’s ‘Chachambo:Taking Flight’

Preview: King (2023) by Jo Tan and T:>Works

First produced as a live-streamed digital production for the Festival of Women N.O.W. in 2020, Jo Tan’s one-woman show King returns this National Day week for a live presentation. Presented by T:>Works, this new production of King will now be directed by Irfan Kasban, and will once again star writer Jo Tan, and delivers a tour de force performance playing multiple characters, navigating expertly through … Continue reading Preview: King (2023) by Jo Tan and T:>Works

Esplanade’s The Studios 2023: An Interview with Silke Huysmans and Hannes Dereere, creators of ‘The Mining Trilogy’

In November 2015, a dam containing toxic mining waste collapsed a few miles away from theatremaker Silke Huysmans’ childhood home in the South of Brazil. Not only did a devastating flood of mud destroy several villages below the dam, but in the next couple of days, poisonous sludge flowed into the river Rio Doce and eventually reached the Atlantic Ocean, causing massive ecological impact and … Continue reading Esplanade’s The Studios 2023: An Interview with Silke Huysmans and Hannes Dereere, creators of ‘The Mining Trilogy’

Preview: The Studios 2023 – Landings by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Celebrating their 20th edition, the Esplanade’s The Studios series takes on a newer, expanded format, responding to the ever-changing world and continuing to programme work that challenges our notions of what art can be and do. Starting off this new version of The Studios, from 2023-2025, the programme will explore notions of Land. With works performed across various venues in the Esplanade, including the new … Continue reading Preview: The Studios 2023 – Landings by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Preview: Chachambo – Taking Flight by ART:DIS Singapore

Formerly known as Very Special Arts Singapore, ART:DIS Singapore is a non-profit organisation that champions persons with disabilities (PwDs) through arts. And this August, just in time for National Day, the pioneer cohort of ART:DIS’s BEYOND DIS:PLAY theatre training programme is set to present a new musical: Chachambo: Taking Flight. In Chachambo: Taking Flight, journey with a visually-impaired girl as she tries to revive an entertainment club … Continue reading Preview: Chachambo – Taking Flight by ART:DIS Singapore

★★★☆☆ Review: Kusu Island by The Fool Theatre

Newcomers to the scene keep this short but sweet production buoyed. It’s been four long years since their last production, but Singapore theatre company The Fool Theatre is finally back with a brand new show: Kusu Island. Continuing their series of productions reimagining the origins of Singapore’s islands, this time around, they’re adapting the legend of Kusu Island into an Mandarin musical, perfect for audiences … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Kusu Island by The Fool Theatre

Drama Box aims to create new spaces for connection and expression for youth

Recent studies on youth mental health conducted in Singapore have shone a spotlight on how symptoms related to depression and anxiety are affecting young people here. The Covid-19 pandemic, in particular, has taken a harsh toll on the young. The safe-distancing measures of recent years have drastically limited their access to in-person programmes that hone relationship- and community-building skills. As such, more organisations are creating … Continue reading Drama Box aims to create new spaces for connection and expression for youth