★★★☆☆ Book Review: Reality Bitchslap by Arif Rahman

Bros’ travelogue gets the graphic memoir treatment. Written and illustrated by Malaysian artist Arif Rafhan, Reality Bitchslap is a graphic memoir that encapsulates the quintessential bro road trip, as Arif and his best mates set off on a journey around Southeast Asia to celebrate their last days of bachelorhood. Taking readers from Hat Yai to Phnom Penh, ‘beautiful’ Ho Chi Minh City to ‘fascinating’ Jogja, it’s … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: Reality Bitchslap by Arif Rahman

★★★☆☆ Book Review: Taiping Tales of Terror by Julya Oui

The ghosts and legends of Southeast Asia come to life when a group of boys share campfire tales.  While we may not have grown up in an environment where campfire ghost stories were the norm, Malaysian author Julya Oui certainly takes us right to that setting with her short story collection Taiping Tales of Terror.  Rather ironically, ‘Taiping’ literally translates to ‘peaceful’, while the stories contained … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: Taiping Tales of Terror by Julya Oui

★★★☆☆ Book Review: 18 Walls by Teo Xue Shen

Seeing conscription through the lens of a world at war with monsters. In the increasingly bleak world we live in, the most terrifying thing is that a dystopia is far closer to reality than it is fiction. Yet somehow, the YA dystopia novel has become one of the most popular genres to emerge in recent years, with some of the most well-known series including The … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: 18 Walls by Teo Xue Shen

In London’s West End 2020: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella To World Premiere In London In April 2021

LONDON – Producers The Really Useful Group announced today that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical Cinderella will now world premiere at The Gillian Lynne Theatre in London on Wednesday 7 April 2021, with previews from Friday 19 March 2021. Andrew Lloyd Webber said “Whilst I continue to impress on the government that theatres can reopen safely based on The London Palladium model, it has become clear that we need to … Continue reading In London’s West End 2020: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella To World Premiere In London In April 2021

★☆☆☆☆ Book Review: Everyday A-holes by Dean Blake

A book of crude drawings that will put readers on either end of the love-hate spectrum.  Described as a ‘picture book for adults’, Australian author Dean Blake’s Everyday A-holes feels akin to an Instagram feed compiled into a single e-book. Inspired by real life encounters during the author’s travels across the globe, the portraits are (deliberately) crudely hand-drawn, each accompanied by captions describing the ‘everyday a-hole’ pictured.  … Continue reading ★☆☆☆☆ Book Review: Everyday A-holes by Dean Blake

Arts of the UK 2021: Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code To Receive Stage Adaptation In 2021

LONDON – The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown’s blockbuster novel that captivated the world, is to become an epic stage thriller. It will make its World Premiere on a UK Tour in 2021, opening at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Saturday 3rd April 2021, and touring throughout the year. The curator of the Louvre has been brutally murdered, and alongside his body are a series of … Continue reading Arts of the UK 2021: Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code To Receive Stage Adaptation In 2021

In London’s West End 2021: Hairspray at the London Coliseum (Preview)

LONDON – The producers of Hairspray the Musical have announced rescheduled performance dates for the multi award-winning smash hit musical at the London Coliseum. The production will now begin performances on Thursday 22nd April 2021 and play a strictly limited 19-week season to Sunday 29th August. The production will star Michael Ball, who returns to his legendary, Olivier Award winning role of Edna Turnblad, alongside one of the UK’s greatest … Continue reading In London’s West End 2021: Hairspray at the London Coliseum (Preview)

The Esplanade’s Pesta Raya Goes Online

  Much like the recently concluded The Studios Online season, with the restrictions placed on live performances, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay has made the move to shift their annual Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts completely online. A total of nine productions, comprising three new works and six archival recordings from previous editions of Pesta Raya editions, can be enjoyed completely free-of-charge … Continue reading The Esplanade’s Pesta Raya Goes Online

Television Time: Gordon Ramsay Serves Up Bigger and Bolder Adventures in Uncharted Season 2

Gordon Ramsay may be known for being a tough as nuts personality across reality shows, but in Season 2 of Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, the celebrity chef will be hitting the road once again and introducing viewers to seven brand new regions, each with their own culinary customs and history. “We get the opportunity to learn from the locals and hear their stories, and that gives … Continue reading Television Time: Gordon Ramsay Serves Up Bigger and Bolder Adventures in Uncharted Season 2

★★★☆☆ Book Review: Fall In! The Unofficial Guide to Surviving Basic Military Training by Matthew Chew & Nicholas U Jin

An informative and fun survival guide to prepare the recruits of Gen-Z. No matter how many times you read (and re-read) MINDEF’s official website, how many of Jack Neo’s Ah Boys to Men movies you’ve watched (skip everything after the second one), or how many times your father tells you anecdotes that start with “back in my day”, nothing ever quite prepares you for the … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: Fall In! The Unofficial Guide to Surviving Basic Military Training by Matthew Chew & Nicholas U Jin