SIFA 2023: An Interview with dancer Muna Tseng, creator of ‘Me, You, Then, Now’

Hong Kong-born, New York-based dance artist Muna Tseng has made a name for herself over the years, developing a four decade-long illustrious career working at the fluid intersections of contemporary dance, visual design, new music and avant-garde theatre. In her work Me, You, Then, Now, which plays for one night only at the 2023 Singapore International Festival of Arts, audience members are invited to join … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with dancer Muna Tseng, creator of ‘Me, You, Then, Now’

SIFA 2023: An Interview with Andrea Salustri, creator of ‘MATERIA’

The star of Andrea Salustri’s show MATERIA is not a person, but a material – polystyrene, one of the most common forms of plastic. Under Salustri’s manipulation, he allows it to come alive, and questions how we engage with objects, and to consider the life behind the ordinary. MATERIA also explores the balance between being a facilitator and being a performer, as the focus gradually shifts … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with Andrea Salustri, creator of ‘MATERIA’

★★★☆☆ Review: The Wonderful World of Dissocia by young & w!ld

Wonderland gone wrong leaves a confusing message about mental health. Category Score (out of 10) Direction (Edith Podesta) 7 Script (Anthony Neilson) 5 Performance (Eleanor Ee, Michelle Hariff, Hoe Wei Qi, Elisa Mustika, Nicole Shaan, Monil SJ, Gosteloa Spancer, Su Paing Tun, Jovi Tan, Valerie Tan, Tiara Yap, Christian Yeo) 7 Set Design (Akbar Syadiq) 7 Lighting Design (Amirul Azmi) 7 Costume/Hair/Makeup Design (Max Tan/Ashley … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: The Wonderful World of Dissocia by young & w!ld

SIFA 2023: An Interview with Festival Director Natalie Hennedige

In 2022, Natalie Hennedige went from artistic director of Cake Theatre, to Festival Director of the annual Singapore International Festival of Arts. Together with her team, the veteran theatremaker programmed a slew of works in her debut year, and established her own spin on the festival by theming each edition around ‘The Anatomy of Performance’, specifically zooming in on the concept of rituals last year. … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with Festival Director Natalie Hennedige

SIFA 2023: An Interview with Hyerim Jang, choreographer behind ‘Abyss’

The concept of ‘han’ in Korea refers to a feeling of multiple layers of sorrow and sadness that represents the suffering of Korean lives from wars and colonialism. These days, it still persists, even if more removed from its historical context, and continues to plague even the modern Korean person with its sadness. Artistic director of 99 Art Company Hyerim Jang seeks to address that … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with Hyerim Jang, choreographer behind ‘Abyss’

SIFA 2023: An Interview with Brian Gothong Tan and Huang Ruo, co-creators of ‘Angel Island’

With its continued mention across history books, film and other media, most people would be familiar with New York’s Ellis Island, a symbol of the American Dream that welcomed European migrants to America searching for a new hopeful life, along with its proximity to the Statue of Liberty. But few know about Ellis Island’s counterpart – Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay, which instead … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with Brian Gothong Tan and Huang Ruo, co-creators of ‘Angel Island’

★★★★☆ Review: The Monster In The Mirror by Bitesize Theatre Productions

Heartfelt, quintessentially Singaporean musical resonates with students and adults alike. Category Score (out of 10) Direction (Terrance Tan) 8 Script (Terrance Tan) 7 Performance (Sharon Sum, Andrea Alingalan, Sharon Mah, Estelle Fly, Ryan Ang, Zulfiqar Izzudin, Noah Yap, Seah Janice, Liew Ai Wen, Afiq Abdul, Clement Yeo) 8 Music/Lyrics (Michelle Ler/Cheryl Chitty Tan) 9 Choreography (Tan Rui Shan) 9 Set Design (Petrina Dawn Tan) 8 … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: The Monster In The Mirror by Bitesize Theatre Productions

Arts of Hong Kong 2023: Juliet and Romeo by Lost Dog (Review)

HONG KONG – Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was always a tragic tale of teen romance gone awry. But what if they didn’t die, and the two of them grew up to live happily ever after? That’s the hypothetical situation dance company Lost Dog poses in their work Juliet and Romeo, as they imagine the two lovers in middle age, tackling our cultural obsession with youth … Continue reading Arts of Hong Kong 2023: Juliet and Romeo by Lost Dog (Review)

Review: Sherlock Sam – The Musical by Dream Academy

The power of science, logical deduction, and friendship drive this musical adaptation of the popular book series. Could Singapore be a hotbed of mysteries? For children’s book writers A.J. Low (Adan Jimenez and Felicia Low-Jimenez) behind the beloved Sherlock Sam series, there’s always a mystery at every corner of the island, from Katong to even Pulau Ubin, ready for spunky kid detective Sherlock Sam and … Continue reading Review: Sherlock Sam – The Musical by Dream Academy

Pesta Raya 2023: An Interview with ‘Potong’ director Mohd Fared Jainal

What does it mean to be a Singaporean Malay man? Is it having gone through National Service? Is it simply by virtue of being brown? Or could it be the quintessential rite of passage for Muslim males – circumcision? Those are key questions that will be addressed and more in Johnny Jon Jon’s play Potong, which receives a new staging next week as part of … Continue reading Pesta Raya 2023: An Interview with ‘Potong’ director Mohd Fared Jainal