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: New Works Festival 2019 by Singapore Chinese Language Theatre Alliance

In 2016, six of Singapore’s leading Chinese language theatre companies united and formed the Singapore Chinese Language Theatre Alliance. Aiming to surface and address concerns and issues pertaining to the development of Chinese language theatre scene in Singapore, the six members of the alliance are Drama Box, Nine Years Theatre, Paper Monkey Theatre, The Finger Players, The Theatre Practice and Toy Factory Productions. Three years on, they’re … Continue reading Preview: New Works Festival 2019 by Singapore Chinese Language Theatre Alliance

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

Review: The Adventures of Abhijeet by Patch and Punnet

Singa-satire still falls flat. When The Adventures of Abhijeet was first presented the M1 Singapore Fringe earlier this year, I was unable to get a chance to catch it. Reading up about it, I found out how that version was pitched as a rollicking satire on xenophobia, while this newer, full-length one pulls back its claim to simply be “a story where migrant workers are … Continue reading Review: The Adventures of Abhijeet by Patch and Punnet

Preview: The Adventures of Abhijeet by Patch and Punnet

This August, not one but TWO shows from the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival will be returning to the stage. Besides Jo Tan’s Forked, Patch and Punnet’s The Adventures of Abhijeet, which premiered as part of the 2019 M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, will also be making a comeback, this time at an all new venue at the Play Den, alongside some new additions to the cast. When we … Continue reading Preview: The Adventures of Abhijeet by Patch and Punnet

Preview: Late-Night Texting 2019 by Centre 42

Come on down for a weekend of independent theatre as Centre 42’s annual Late-Night Texting returns this August! Held in conjunction with the Singapore Night Festival, this year’s programme features a bumper crop of work, with over 25 bite-sized theatre performances, with admission entirely FREE over two nights. Says Centre 42 Company Manager Ms. Ma Yanling: “Late-Night Texting has always showcased exciting new writing and a … Continue reading Preview: Late-Night Texting 2019 by Centre 42

Review: Hossan-AH 50! – Love You LEONG Time! by Double Confirm Productions

A last hurrah for the Singapore Boy in this sincere celebration of a life in entertainment. Surefire ways to tell you’re getting on in age – when people call you ‘lao ban’ (boss) instead of ‘xiao di’ (little boy), and when you realise it’s probably more appropriate to call the taxi driver ‘brother’ instead of ‘uncle’. Where these might spark a mid-life crisis in some, … Continue reading Review: Hossan-AH 50! – Love You LEONG Time! by Double Confirm Productions

Review: Fat Kids Are Harder To Kidnap X Re-Run by How Drama

Fat on genuine passion, heart and love for Singapore in all her idiosyncrasies.  After a fantastic sold-out run in 2018, Fat Kids Are Harder to Kidnap X returned this weekend for a second round to give those that missed it the first time (and longtime fans of the show) to immerse themselves completely in “the perfect, quintessentially Singaporean fringe show”. Directed by Melissa Sim,  the format of Fat Kids is … Continue reading Review: Fat Kids Are Harder To Kidnap X Re-Run by How Drama

Preview: Fat Kids Are Harder To Kidnap X Re-Run by How Drama

They’ve been getting kidnapped for 11 years now, but that hasn’t stopped the irreverent, irresistible and insane energy and humour of How Drama as they bring back Fat Kids Are Harder To Kidnap X for a rerun this August, after a fantastic sold-out run last year. In the show, five cast members embark on a theatrical marathon as they attempt to perform 31 plays in an … Continue reading Preview: Fat Kids Are Harder To Kidnap X Re-Run by How Drama

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