No Such Thing As Magic: Ugly In The Morning Launches 3rd Album – 3 Or More If You Can Afford It

In this day and age, local bands are a dime a dozen, and far too many come and go in the blink of an eye. It’s a rarity to even release one album, let alone two, which is precisely why funk-rock band Ugly In The Morning’s third release is absolutely significant in the history of Singapore music. 3 Or More If You Can Afford It was officially launched … Continue reading No Such Thing As Magic: Ugly In The Morning Launches 3rd Album – 3 Or More If You Can Afford It

The Studios 2018: I Am Trying To Say Something True (Review)

‘My name is Risa, which means laughter.’ These are the words that start us off on an intense journey of self-reflection into the mind of 28 year old Risa (Ellison Tan) as she speaks to Dr Robert, her $280/hour psychiatrist about her life. Penned by rising star Michelle Tan, who was nominated for a Life! Theatre Award for Best Script in 2017, I Am Trying To … Continue reading The Studios 2018: I Am Trying To Say Something True (Review)

Review: The Secret presented by BASE Entertainment Asia and Perfect World Pictures

Sing it loud from the rooftops: reveal The Secret and let everyone know how fantastic it is.  The biggest challenge jukebox musicals often face is finding the right songs in an artists’ repertoire to fit a decent storyline. If done wrong, the entire musical could come off as hackneyed and forced. But in the event it does succeed, then expect only roaring success, mining the … Continue reading Review: The Secret presented by BASE Entertainment Asia and Perfect World Pictures

Review: Lanang by Hatch Theatrics

A woman’s will is put to the test when hit by the double whammy of divorce and death. Grief is one of the most common topics covered in theatre, making it an increasingly difficult subject to portray in a new light. But with Hatch Theatrics’ latest production and final show of their residency at the Malay Heritage Centre, it’s a topic that feels fresh with Lanang’s … Continue reading Review: Lanang by Hatch Theatrics

Preview: Underclass by The Necessary Stage and Drama Box

After the runaway success of Manifesto in 2016 to a sold out run, The Necessary Stage and Drama Box return for a second collaboration this May! Following on from Manifesto, Underclass sees the two companies producing an all new multi-lingual work that takes a critical look at issues of social inequality and human dignity in Singapore. Written by Haresh Sharma and directed by Alvin Tan together with Kok Heng Leun, Underclass tells the story of … Continue reading Preview: Underclass by The Necessary Stage and Drama Box

The Studios 2018: An Interview with T. Sasitharan (I am trying to say something true)

In the third week of the Esplanade’s latest season of The Studios, actress Ellison Tan Yuyang will be performing Michelle Tan’s new work I am trying to say something true. The show revolves around the concept of loss, but does not directly address it, instead considering the distance and spaces between people and places, time and everything between what we know and what we feel. We spoke … Continue reading The Studios 2018: An Interview with T. Sasitharan (I am trying to say something true)

Review: Thick Beats for Good Girls by Checkpoint Theatre

Pooja Nansi and Jessica Bellamy delve into the history and personal significance of hip hop in a fun and insightful performance. Before we begin, take a moment to think about your favourite hip-hop artist is. Is it Tupac with the deeply emotional and strangely prescient The 7 Day Theory? Could it be pre-Kardashian Kanye West making waves and pushing genre boundaries with 808s & Heartbreak? Or is it … Continue reading Review: Thick Beats for Good Girls by Checkpoint Theatre

The Studios 2018: In The Silence of Your Heart (Review)

Kaylene Tan encapsulates the art of living in the in between in an innovative, sensory experience.  The term ‘between living and dying’ can be interpreted in a great many ways. You could  literally be on the brink of death, fully paralysed and barely breathing, yet still completely alive. Perhaps you’re already dead and gone, but your spirit and memories linger on in the space and … Continue reading The Studios 2018: In The Silence of Your Heart (Review)

The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time: An Interview with Joshua Jenkins

In the National Theatre’s stellar touring production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, actor Joshua Jenkins leads the cast as fifteen year old Christopher Boone. A graduate from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Joshua’s role as “a mathematician with some behavioural difficulties” is both physically and emotionally demanding, and an unusual one amongst theatre protagonists in that his character … Continue reading The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time: An Interview with Joshua Jenkins

Jay Chou’s The Secret: Uniting The Best of the East and West

Taiwanese musician Jay Chou can more or less be considered one of the greatest Asian songwriters of his generation, inspiring a rabid mass following since his debut in 2000. From that initial success spawned a minor career in film, leading to his writing and directing 2007 smash hit film Secret, and winning 3 Golden Horse Awards. Although not a musical film, combined Jay’s undeniable success and catchy … Continue reading Jay Chou’s The Secret: Uniting The Best of the East and West