Huayi 2020: An Interview with Kwok Wing Hong, Playwright of HKRep’s Principle, and Anthony Chan, Artistic Director of HKRep

When a new principal joins a school, she establishes her power with a host of new rules and an authoritarian leadership, forcing everyone to go strictly by the book. In contrast, her vice-principal stands as an advocate for compassion. As gossip swirls about the brewing tension between the two top dogs, a campus crisis is set to erupt as students and parents add to the … Continue reading Huayi 2020: An Interview with Kwok Wing Hong, Playwright of HKRep’s Principle, and Anthony Chan, Artistic Director of HKRep

Huayi 2020: An Interview with Goh Boon Teck, Director and Playwright of Toy Factory’s 7 Sages of the Bamboo Grove

In Chinese history, there existed a group of seven Chinese scholars, writers, and musicians of the third century CE. As the Jin dynasty came into being, the ‘Sages’ found their lives to be in danger, and their reactions to the changes expressed themselves in new ways. Some wrote poems criticizing the court and the administration, while others tried to negotiate their way through the difficult … Continue reading Huayi 2020: An Interview with Goh Boon Teck, Director and Playwright of Toy Factory’s 7 Sages of the Bamboo Grove

Huayi 2020: An Interview with Star Pianist Tony Yike Yang

At the tender age of 16, Chinese-Canadian pianist Tony Yike Yang took the music world by storm when he became the youngest-ever laureate at the prestigious 2015 Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. Now, the young prodigy is set to make his Southeast Asian debut at the Esplanade, performing a solo recital as part of this year’s edition of Huayi – Chinese Festival of the arts. … Continue reading Huayi 2020: An Interview with Star Pianist Tony Yike Yang

Preview: Esplanade presents Huayi Festival 2020

As we approach Chinese New Year once again, so does the Esplanade’s annual Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts. Come the year of the Rat, often considered a symbol of wit, imagination and curiosity, Huayi is set to bring these traits to life in its programming, with a line-up of leading Chinese artists from Singapore and beyond between 31st January and 9th February 2020. Presenting a mix … Continue reading Preview: Esplanade presents Huayi Festival 2020

Preview: The Night Garden by Jo Anne Sukumaran

The Night Garden marks the debut concert of Singaporean-based, Swiss-trained bassoon soloist Jo Anne Sukumaran, celebrating the launch of her solo album of the same name recorded in Montesilvano, Italy in 2018. The Night Garden is set to be an exhilarating journey of discovery leading audienc members through the dusk, emerging into the light, a safe space for the heart and mind. In a chamber setting, a select … Continue reading Preview: The Night Garden by Jo Anne Sukumaran

Review: Dick Lee’s The Mad Chinaman 30th Anniversary Concert

30 years on from the launch of his signature album, and Dick Lee can still turn out an unforgettable concert. There’s good reason why Dick Lee is known as ‘The Mad Chinaman”, sharing that title with one of his most iconic albums, released in 1989. There’s a manic, unrestrained energy that emanates from the man in every move and every word, tempered by a timeless … Continue reading Review: Dick Lee’s The Mad Chinaman 30th Anniversary Concert

The Mad Chinaman: In Conversation with Dick Lee On His Life, His Music, and His Continued Relevance

Perhaps more than anyone else, Dick Lee is the foremost pioneer and pillar of the Singapore music scene. And of all people, he’s certainly an icon. Best known for composing everyone’s favourite National Day Parade song ‘Home’, Dick has had an illustrious career with over 20 albums to his name. Even now, in his 60s, Dick certainly isn’t resting on his laurels, and is still … Continue reading The Mad Chinaman: In Conversation with Dick Lee On His Life, His Music, and His Continued Relevance

Preview: Dick Lee’s The Mad Chinaman 30th Anniversary Concert

Following last year’s SingaPOPera concert celebrating the musicals of Dick Lee, the Mad Chinaman returns to the Esplanade Concert Hall this September for a one-night only concert! The Mad Chinaman 30th Anniversary concert will naturally, feature Dick Lee himself, alongside the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra. Under the baton of Music Director Adrian Tan, this special pop-classical crossover celebrates the 1989 release of Dick’s seminal work, The Mad Chinaman, often considered … Continue reading Preview: Dick Lee’s The Mad Chinaman 30th Anniversary Concert

Preview: The TENG Ensemble Presents Heirlooms 《传承》 – Reimagining the Sounds of our Chinese Forefathers

If you know next to nothing about the music traditions of Chinese dialect groups, you’re not alone. But that’s precisely why local arts company TENG is here to educate you about them, with their brand new documentary-concert Heirlooms, that reimagines the sounds of Singapore’s Chinese forefathers on 11th October 2019. Playing at the Esplanade Concert Hall, in support of the Singapore Bicentennial, the one-night-only showcase will premiere … Continue reading Preview: The TENG Ensemble Presents Heirlooms 《传承》 – Reimagining the Sounds of our Chinese Forefathers

Review: Crazy Poor Sita by Sharul Channa

Sharul Channa lets her acid humour take a backseat to this timely character drama about the underclass of Singapore. Better known for her sharp tongue and razor wit, stand up comedian Sharul Channa has lately, been delving into a somewhat different brand of performance lately, exploring her actor side with character work that’s seen her transform into women of all backgrounds. In the International Women’s … Continue reading Review: Crazy Poor Sita by Sharul Channa