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

The Banter: An Interview with Actor Ghafir Akbar In Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR – Over the last five years, Ghafir Akbar has slowly but surely been making a name for himself in the Singapore theatre scene. Besides having garnered critical acclaim and our nod as Best Actor for his role in Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Guards at the Taj (2018), the Malaysian actor has worked closely with some of Singapore’s foremost theatre companies and who only seems to be getting … Continue reading The Banter: An Interview with Actor Ghafir Akbar In Kuala Lumpur

Arts in Malaysia: An Interview with Johnny Ong, Co-Founder of Hauntu

KUALA LUMPUR – Do you believe in ghosts? If you came to THE LINC KL and looked around a bit, you might just find an attraction that’ll convince you of their existence, with Hauntu.  A portmanteau of the English word ‘haunt’ and Malay word ‘hantu’ (ghost), Hauntu mashes escape room and haunted house for one hell of an experience, as live theatre performance, role play and storytelling come together. … Continue reading Arts in Malaysia: An Interview with Johnny Ong, Co-Founder of Hauntu

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: Cats presented by BASE Entertainment Asia

★★★★☆ (Performance attended 19/12/19) Feline fever dream impresses with its acrobatic skills and musical grandeur, landing squarely on its feet.  As a musical that’s stood the test of time and still receives acclaim over 40 years later, the plot of Cats, if you can call it a plot, is incredibly simple. Once a year, the Jellicle Cats gather around what appears to be a junkyard … Continue reading Review: Cats presented by BASE Entertainment Asia

Review: Single Mothers by Dwayne Ng

★★★☆☆ (Performance attended 20/12/19) New play tackles the challenges of single motherhood, and shows potential for more.  Being a single mother certainly isn’t easy. On top of one’s actual obligations to take care of one’s child more or less alone, the situation is often further complicated by society’s expectations and judgment thrust upon them. The trials and tribulations of single motherhood then are explored in … Continue reading Review: Single Mothers by Dwayne Ng

Review: Crazy Christmas 2019 – Crazy Grinch Asians by Dream Academy

★★★★☆ (Performance attended 17/12/19) Dream Academy’s A-Team come together for a festive variety show to do what they do best – having fun, spreading joy and laughter. If it’s one company that knows how to play to their strengths, it’s Dream Academy. Following a four year hiatus since its last edition in 2015, the local theatre company has triumphantly brought back their crowd-pleasing Crazy Christmas once again, … Continue reading Review: Crazy Christmas 2019 – Crazy Grinch Asians by Dream Academy

Arts In Malaysia: Catching Up With Sean Ghazi In Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR – The last time we sat down with Sean Ghazi was way back in 2017, after an incredibly busy year in Singapore preparing for An Evening with Sean Ghazi (with Stephanie Reese), and after an acclaimed run on W!ld Rice’s staging of La Cage Aux Folles opposite Ivan Heng. That was the year that Sean seemed to truly revive his connection with Singapore after primarily performing on … Continue reading Arts In Malaysia: Catching Up With Sean Ghazi In Kuala Lumpur