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

Review: The Far Side of the Moon by Robert Lepage/Ex Machina

★★★★☆ (Attended 2/11/19, Matinee) A deeply affecting reflection on loneliness, sibling rivalry, and the little triumphs that keep us going, buoyed by a masterful performance from Yves Jacques and Robert Lepage’s ingenious theatrical magic.  The far side of the moon, sometimes known as the dark side of the moon, refers to the side of the moon facing away from Earth, unseen and unnoticed in comparison to … Continue reading Review: The Far Side of the Moon by Robert Lepage/Ex Machina

Robert Lepage’s The Far Side of the Moon: An Interview with Performer Yves Jacques

If you do a cursory Google search on Yves Jacques, you’ll find that it’s surprisingly hard to find much information about the 63-year old Canadian actor’s personal life, besides a Wikipedia article or IMDB entry that glosses over a brief description of his achievements, and a long, long list of film and theatre credits over his 40-something year career. A man whose online presence is … Continue reading Robert Lepage’s The Far Side of the Moon: An Interview with Performer Yves Jacques

Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Series: The Manhattan Transfer (Review)

50 years on and still one of the absolute best vocal groups around. The Manhattan Transfer are undoubtedly one of America’s greatest treasures. Comprising Janis Siegel, Alan Paul and Cheryl Bentyne, along with newest member Trist Curless, the multiple Grammy Award-winning pop/jazz vocal quartet returned to the Esplanade Theatre after eight years on Tuesday, performing tracks from their latest album, along with all their greatest … Continue reading Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Series: The Manhattan Transfer (Review)

Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Series: An Interview with Janis Siegel of The Manhattan Transfer

Few bands last a decade, let alone five. But for American jazz quarter The Manhattan Transfer, with a whopping 30 albums and millions of worldwide record sales and sold-out tours across their career, the multiple Grammy Award-winning band makes it seem easy, having essentially perfected the art of a capella, vocalese and swing over the last 50 years. Having last performed at the Esplanade eight … Continue reading Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Series: An Interview with Janis Siegel of The Manhattan Transfer

Review: Love Ya Mom! by (爱呀,我的妈!) by Godot Theatre Company

Heartwarming tale that’ll bring anyone closer to their mom. There’s just some nights you need nothing more than a simple and clean musical to reassure and make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Most recently, that musical happens to be Taiwanese theatre company Godot Theatre’s Love Ya Mom!, which played at the Esplanade Theatre in its overseas debut. Directed by Liang Chi-Ming, with music by acclaimed … Continue reading Review: Love Ya Mom! by (爱呀,我的妈!) by Godot Theatre Company

Godot Theatre Company’s Love Ya Mom!: An Interview with the Cast and Creatives

The body swap trope is not an uncommon one in film and television, but has it ever been done onstage? With Taiwan’s Godot Theatre Company, not only have they done that with 2017 musical Love Ya Mom!, but did so with roaring success, becoming the fastest-selling show at the 2017 Taiwan International Festival of Arts. Now, come see the hit show yourself as Godot Theatre Company returns … Continue reading Godot Theatre Company’s Love Ya Mom!: An Interview with the Cast and Creatives

Preview: Love Ya Mom! 爱呀,我的妈! by Godot Theatre Company

Godot Theatre Company impressed us last year when they presented their award-winning production of Tuesdays with Morrie. Now, they’re back again at the Esplanade Theatre, this time with their hit Mandarin musical Love Ya Mom! In this musical comedy, a single mother (also an expert mechanic) and her daughter (with rock star ambitions) swap bodies when a genius scientist’s experiment goes wrong. Chaos, naturally, ensues as they struggle … Continue reading Preview: Love Ya Mom! 爱呀,我的妈! by Godot Theatre Company

An Interview with Paris Opera Ballet Étoiles Léonore Baulac and Germain Louvet

Last weekend, the world famous, 300-year strong Paris Opera Ballet arrived at the Esplanade to perform some of the greatest contemporary hits in their repertoire. Performing William Forsythe’s Blake Works I, Jerome Robbins’ In the Night, and Crystal Pite’s The Season’s Canon, audiences were hyped, to say the least, about the rare opportunity to catch not one but three incredible performances in one sitting. Following an afternoon rehearsal on their … Continue reading An Interview with Paris Opera Ballet Étoiles Léonore Baulac and Germain Louvet

Review: Paris Opera Ballet presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Three works that showcase why Paris Opera Ballet remains one of the best ballet companies in the world. While most audiences tend to associate ballet with classical works, the best ballet companies of today have slowly but surely made the move towards a mix of both the contemporary and the classical. And for a company as renowned and respected as the Paris Opera Ballet, they’ve become … Continue reading Review: Paris Opera Ballet presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay