Without a doubt, we can safely say that Siti Khalijah Zainal is one of our absolute favourite actresses in the local theatre scene. Always armed with a smile and bubbling over with incredible energy, Siti has charmed our socks off, making us laugh and cry in productions as varied as Meena and Cheena and Rosnah. So it’s really no surprise that when we found out she was part of … Continue reading #mydurianturns15: Backstage Pass with… Siti K
The final performance of each batch of Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI) graduating students always finishes with a bang, and Our Town is no different. Directed by Arts NMP and Dramabox Artistic Director Kok Heng Leun in his first solo directorial effort since 2015, the production manages to bring Thornton Wilder’s classic play to new heights, highlighting the play’s underlying concerns about distance and lost time. Kok’s vision … Continue reading Review: Our Town by Intercultural Theatre Institute
Rounding off the year in cultural festivals is the Esplanade’s Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of the Arts. Since its humble beginnings in 2002, the festival has grown to a sprawling 10 day event showcasing an exciting mix of classical and contemporary arts performances from local and international Indian artists. Starting on 17th November, the festival opens with an explosive tale told through bharatanatyam and Javanese dance … Continue reading Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2017 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Presented in collaboration with the Esplanade, the Intercultural Theatre Institute’s graduating cohort will be performing their newest show at the Esplanade Theatre Studio this November, following their previous production of Leakages. Directed by Drama Box Artistic Director and Arts NMP Kok Heng Leun, ITI presents American playwright Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning play – Our Town. Written in 1938, Our Town is a metaphysical theatre piece and plays out like … Continue reading Preview: Our Town by Intercultural Theatre Institute (+Interview with Director Kok Heng Leun)
The Esplanade’s 12th da:ns Festival makes a return this month with a whole new programme of some of the very best dance performances from both the international dance scene, and here in Singapore. A grand total of seven ticketed productions will be available to catch this time round, including two festival commissions by Choy Ka Fai and Eisa Jocson. In addition, audiences can also take part in over … Continue reading Preview: da:ns Festival 2017 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Announcing the full lineup of work at the Esplanade Annexe Studio on Tuesday, the 14th M1 Singapore Fringe Festival (M1SFF) has taken on an all new thematic concept as it moves into 2018. While the past 13 editions have used titles surrounding the concept of “Art & ___”, from next year on, M1SFF will be using themes inspired by iconic works from local artists, starting … Continue reading Preview: M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2018 – Let’s Walk
Sim Yan Ying’s Without Reason has a simple premise: boy meets girl, they fall in love, and start a relationship. But there’s a twist. Without Reason is an honest look at the difficulty of maintaining an interracial relationship in Singapore, and Sim Yan Ying has crafted an accessible play that encourages audiences to see that falling in love should be as easy as finding common ground … Continue reading Review: Without Reason (M1 Peer Pleasure Youth Theatre Festival 2017)
When one thinks of Hari Raya, one thinks of tasty ketupats, pasar malams and LED lights outside houses of those celebrating this joyous occasion. It’s almost impossible to link it to issues such as drugs, incest, rape and domestic violence. But for Aidli ‘Alin’ Mosbit, no issue is too dark to bare on stage in Main². Commissioned for the inaugural Pesta Raya back in 2002, Aidli ‘Alin’ … Continue reading Review: Main² by Teater Ekamatra (Pesta Raya 2017)
Ever been in an interracial relationship, or have friends who’ve been in one? If you have, then you’ll probably be familiar with the dilemma the protagonists of Without Reason are struggling with. A classic boy-meets-girl love story between a Malay boy and a Chinese girl, Without Reason pits the young couple against all odds, from religious differences to doubt from friends and family, and will take … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: Interview with Sim Yan Ying and Adib Kosnan (and WIN tickets to Without Reason!)
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay puts Malay culture front and centre again from 20th to 23rd July with the 16th edition of the annual Pesta Raya Malay Festival of the Arts! Celebrating the rich heritage of Malay traditional and contemporary arts, the 2017 Pesta Raya festival will be bringing both old favourites and new artists to the stage. Check out some of the highlights … Continue reading Preview: Pesta Raya 2017 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
