★★★☆☆ Review: National Memory Project by Teater Ekamatra

The future of Singapore is bleak, in a city that is all too willing to archive its past. While across the world, developing and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in daily life is fast becoming the norm, it’s been especially worrying that local government entities have been leaping onto the AI trend and adopted it as the next big thing. From designing posters to interactive … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: National Memory Project by Teater Ekamatra

An Interview with the cast and creatives of Teater Ekamatra’s ‘National Memory Project’

This June, Teater Ekamatra returns with National Memory Project, a quietly devastating, politically astute, and culturally layered play by Jonny Jon Jon. Originally staged in 2012 and again in 2016, this third incarnation marks the play’s first under Ekamatra’s banner, and will be helmed by Mohd Fared Jainal, who directs the two-hander starring Ellison Tan and Fir Rahman. At the helm is Ekamatra’s long-time artistic … Continue reading An Interview with the cast and creatives of Teater Ekamatra’s ‘National Memory Project’

★★★★★ Review: Hard Mode by Checkpoint Theatre

Gen Z play that speaks to the growing pains that anyone from any era goes through. From juggling studies with a social life, to the turbulent changes of adolescence and figuring out exactly what it all means, it is a truth universally acknowledged that the teen years are some of the toughest of anyone’s life. And even for Generation Z (dubbed ‘Zoomers’), who grew up … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Hard Mode by Checkpoint Theatre

★★★☆☆ 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

Review: Dear Elena (青春禁忌游戏) by Nine Years Theatre

Worst birthday ever makes for one of the best shows of 2019. Growing up in Singapore, the hard and fast path to ‘success’ has always been made abundantly clear to each and every child: study hard, get into a good school, rinse and repeat, and you’ll lead a happy life. But for those who don’t follow exactly as the system dictates, the consequences could be … Continue reading Review: Dear Elena (青春禁忌游戏) by Nine Years Theatre

Nine Years Theatre’s Dear Elena: An Interview with Nelson Chia, Mia Chee and Timothy Wan

Near the start of 2019, local theatre company Nine Years Theatre (NYT) announced their new season, starting with FAUST/US in February, original play First Fleet in July, before rounding off with a restaging of SIFA 2017’s Art Studio in October. But midway through, due to unforeseen circumstances, Art Studio was unable to proceed as planned, and the team had to find an alternative production to round off their year. Enter Dear Elena … Continue reading Nine Years Theatre’s Dear Elena: An Interview with Nelson Chia, Mia Chee and Timothy Wan

Preview: Dear Elena (青春禁忌游戏) by Nine Years Theatre

Nine Years Theatre returns this October for their third and final production of the year. Following the premiere of brand new play First Fleet in July, the company returns to their roots with Dear Elena, with artistic director Nelson Chia adapting a Russian play into Mandarin. Originally written by Russian playwright Lyudmila Razumovskaya, Dear Elena Sergeevna, the original play, was first staged at the beginning of … Continue reading Preview: Dear Elena (青春禁忌游戏) by Nine Years Theatre

Review: Rock Guardians of the Sea (守护海洋的神岛) by The Fool Theatre

The origin story of Pulau Ubin as a Mandarin musical. From criticism of our colonial past to entire installations about Sang Nila Utama and beyond, the Bicentennial year has ensured that a bumper crop of new plays would emerge looking back on Singapore’s history. Amongst these is the Fool Theatre’s latest production, a brand new, original Mandarin musical, which, in contrast to some of the more … Continue reading Review: Rock Guardians of the Sea (守护海洋的神岛) by The Fool Theatre

Preview: Rock Guardians of the Sea (守护海洋的神岛) by The Fool Theatre

Following their debut in 2018 with original work Because It’s Fun, The Fool Theatre returns this July with their sophomore work, an all new, original mandarin musical – Rock Guardians of the Sea. In this play, witness a Singapore legend come to life in this madcap adaptation, directed by The Fool Theatre founder Xavier Kang, and with a book by Terence Chan and music by Jonelle Lim. … Continue reading Preview: Rock Guardians of the Sea (守护海洋的神岛) by The Fool Theatre

Review: Still Life by Checkpoint Theatre

An activist uses art as a means of  finding new ways of seeing and recalling her mother.  Former AWARE president Dana Lam is known more for being an activist than an artist. But take a peek at her biography in the programme booklet, and you’ll notice that she’s performed in more shows that you’d expect. In addition, Dana is also a trained painter, and it … Continue reading Review: Still Life by Checkpoint Theatre