In London’s (Off) West End 2019: Deborah Bestwick to step down as director of Ovalhouse

LONDON – As construction work forges ahead for the new theatre in Brixton, Deborah Bestwick, Director of Ovalhouse for over 20 years, announces the next building block in the transition for the organisation.  Says Bestwick: “We are building a fantastic new theatre, designed to support Ovalhouse to do what it has always done best: welcome the widest range of audiences to see the best of new … Continue reading In London’s (Off) West End 2019: Deborah Bestwick to step down as director of Ovalhouse

Hong Kong 2019: The Big Meal by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (Preview)

HONG KONG – In a restaurant, touching moments play out scene after scene. Whether it is lovers enjoying a candlelight dinner, or family members joining together at the table, every meal is a meaningful occasion filled with wide-ranging emotions, accompanied by laughter and tears both bitter and sweet. Over the course of The Big Meal, eight actors play a total of 26 characters having 54 … Continue reading Hong Kong 2019: The Big Meal by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (Preview)

Review: Now She Lives by Hole in the Wall

New theatre collective finds the absurdity and banality of a millennial life. The existential crisis has evolved from being a condition experienced by the lunatic fringe, to what is practically a pandemic in today’s day and age. For the current generation of millennials, it’s a problem that looms particularly large each and every day of their lives, as the news only gets increasingly depressing with … Continue reading Review: Now She Lives by Hole in the Wall

Toy Factory’s The Wright Stuff Festival 2019: Ashes, Ashes by Rajkumar Thiagaras (Review)

Some things are better left fed to the flames.  Two years ago, the Straits Times reported on the demolition of Lakshmi Villa, a generations old family home that had grown too costly to maintain, with the land sold off for development of new condominiums. Taking inspiration from this story, Rajkumar Thiagaras wrote his debut play Ashes, Ashes, presented as part of Toy Factory’s Wright Stuff Festival 2019. Directed … Continue reading Toy Factory’s The Wright Stuff Festival 2019: Ashes, Ashes by Rajkumar Thiagaras (Review)

da:ns festival 2019: Pas de Deux by Raimund Hoghe (Review)

Finding tenderness and connection in the face of seemingly irreconcilable differences.  Raimund Hoghe is a shorter than average 70-year old German man with a discernible hunchback, pale and serious. Takashi Ueno is a much younger Japanese man of average height, slim and lithe. One wonders how the two might even begin to find a point of connection with each other with these distinct physical builds and … Continue reading da:ns festival 2019: Pas de Deux by Raimund Hoghe (Review)

Review: A Very Singaporean Celebration – A Bicentennial Tribute by re:Sound Collective

Celebrating the Bicentennial, re:Sound style. How do you capture the founding of Singapore into a single symphony? Local composer Jonathan Shin certainly seems to have the answer, with the premiere of a brand new composition as part of re:Sound Collective’s A Very Singaporean Celebration. Opening with Shin’s 1819 Suite for Small Orchestra, the chamber orchestra began with a short introduction, a prelude of soft waves on our island … Continue reading Review: A Very Singaporean Celebration – A Bicentennial Tribute by re:Sound Collective

SGIFF 2019: Anthony Chen’s Golden Horse-Nominated Wet Season to Open SGIFF This November

Local writer-director Anthony Chen has a lot going for him – ever since winning the prestigious Camera d’Or for his film Ilo Ilo (2013), his star has only continued to rise, with his brand new film Wet Season set to open the 30th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) on 21st November 2019 at Capitol Theatre. The introspective feature was the sole Asian entry in competition at the 44th … Continue reading SGIFF 2019: Anthony Chen’s Golden Horse-Nominated Wet Season to Open SGIFF This November

Esplanade’s Voices Series 2019: An Interview with Opus Jam (Voilah! 2019)

Formerly known as “A4”, the history of French group Opus Jam began in 1995 when the group’s founder Emmanuel Cappelaere met the American Gospel vocal group Acapella. He realised that their voices could express themselves with strength and greater intensity especially since voices were the only featured instruments. After 15 years, with 800 concerts and performances around the world, and five albums with over 35,000 … Continue reading Esplanade’s Voices Series 2019: An Interview with Opus Jam (Voilah! 2019)

Voilah! 2019: NO TASTE FOR BAD TASTE, so Starck, so Bouroullec… so le French Design

Renowned design exhibition, NO TASTE FOR BAD TASTE, so Starck, so Bouroullec… so le French Design, will begin its run in Singapore from 12 October to 16 November 2019, showcasing the best of French design as part of Voilah! France Singapore Festival. The exhibition at the National Design Centre (NDC) epitomises the elegance of French design through a line-up of over 40 masterpieces by acclaimed and beloved design maestros. Created … Continue reading Voilah! 2019: NO TASTE FOR BAD TASTE, so Starck, so Bouroullec… so le French Design

Preview: Southern Elegance – Music of the Teochews (华族室内乐: 弦诗潮韵) by Ding Yi Music Company

This November, Ding Yi Music Company presents a classically elegant evening of traditional Teochew music. Featuring renowned Teochew music master and National Class One composer Wang Peiyu as concert artistic advisor, this recital presents renditions of classic Teochew repertoire such as The Lion’s Mischief, Lotus Blossoms, Waves Sifting Sand and a special performance with Wang in Spring Brocades. Take some time off, and come discover the Music of the Teochews as Southern Elegance. Southern … Continue reading Preview: Southern Elegance – Music of the Teochews (华族室内乐: 弦诗潮韵) by Ding Yi Music Company