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

Review: The Jugular Vein by The Haque Collective

All choked up over The Haque Collective’s debut production. 2019 has very much been a year of theatre that’s been about highlighting women and women’s issues, from the #MeToo movement and showcasing more female voices on stage. With The Haque Collective’s debut production, the new theatre group heralds yet another facet of the female psyche: the irredeemable mean girl. Directed by Kamil Haque and written by … Continue reading Review: The Jugular Vein by The Haque Collective

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)

Review: KNOTS《结》by STRANGER

New Chinese theatre collective still has some knotty issues to untangle.  In spirituality, it is believed that if one does not let go of the metaphorical ‘knots in one’s heart’, then their mind will remain tormented by these unresolved issues, burdened and suffering on. It is one such knot that takes centrestage in KNOTS, playing as part of the Singapore Chinese Language Theatre Alliance’s New Works … Continue reading Review: KNOTS《结》by STRANGER

Preview: The Jugular Vein by The Haque Collective

There’s a new theatre company in town, and they’re ready to rock the boat with their very first production. Dubbed The Haque Collective, after Founding Member Kamil Haque, brand new play The Jugular Vein premieres this September at Centre 42, and promises a dark comedy outing that’s sure to leave you all choked up. Directed by Kamil Haque (Method Productions) and written by screenwriter James Thoo (head … Continue reading Preview: The Jugular Vein by The Haque Collective

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

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