★☆☆☆☆ Review: Cathay Hotel – The Curse of the Missing Red Shoe by Vertical Submarine

Ambitious attempt to create an immersive Cathay multiverse sends mixed messaging. In the ‘good old days’, there used to exist the Cathay Hotel, which existed as both a hotel and a cinema. As a gathering space, it offered a sense of community when members of the public would come together to watch a film, the golden age of Singapore’s cinema scene where we’d see local … Continue reading ★☆☆☆☆ Review: Cathay Hotel – The Curse of the Missing Red Shoe by Vertical Submarine

Music Is: Two Evenings with Sir Stephen Hough, in his first concert in Singapore following knighthood

Resound Collective presents Sir Stephen Hough in his first appearance in Singapore since being knighted in the Queen’s birthday honours of 2022. He will play a solo recital with the theme of Nightscapes, featuring varying musical evocations of nocturnal wonderings and wanderings by composers such as Scriabin, Debussy and Liszt; as well as a concert with the re:Sound Chamber Orchestra, performing Brahms’ monumental Piano Concerto … Continue reading Music Is: Two Evenings with Sir Stephen Hough, in his first concert in Singapore following knighthood

Arts of Hong Kong 2022: Poon Wai Sum appointed as new HKRep Artistic Director

The Council of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre announced on 22nd August 2022 the appointment of Poon Wai Sum as the company’s sixth Artistic Director, upon the retirement of Anthony Chan at the end of March 2023. Beginning in September, Poon will serve as Artistic Director Designate, planning the company’s 2023–24 season and strategies for artistic development. He will officially assume the position of Artistic Director … Continue reading Arts of Hong Kong 2022: Poon Wai Sum appointed as new HKRep Artistic Director

Full Steam Ahead: An Interview with Dim Sum Dollies Pam Oei and Jo Tan, and Music Director Elaine Chan

With the short run most productions have and few restagings, the longevity of any theatre show or concept in Singapore is never guaranteed. Which is why for local company Dream Academy, the continued success of their signature characters and IPs is a net positive all around. Amidst these, cabaret trio the Dim Sum Dollies remain a perennial favourite, having first making their claim to fame … Continue reading Full Steam Ahead: An Interview with Dim Sum Dollies Pam Oei and Jo Tan, and Music Director Elaine Chan

Patron of the Arts Awards 2022: Growth in cash donations signals importance of sustaining the arts despite pandemic

As Singapore’s arts sector looks towards a positive post-pandemic future, the National Arts Council (NAC) pays tribute to patrons who gave over $32 million to the arts in 2021. 323 patrons were honoured at the 39th edition of the Patron of the Arts Awards (POAA), comprising a total of 244 individuals and 79 organisations. These patrons continued to support Singapore’s resilient arts scene as the … Continue reading Patron of the Arts Awards 2022: Growth in cash donations signals importance of sustaining the arts despite pandemic

Preview: The LKY Musical (2022) by Aiwei and Singapore Repertory Theatre

In its original run in 2015, Singapore Repertory Theatre’s (SRT) then-all new musical The LKY Musical premiered in the same year our late founding father passed, acting as a moving tribute and testament to the work and nation-building Lee Kuan Yew contributed in taking Singapore from third world to first, playing to over 50,000 audience members in its original run. This September, ‘the most successful … Continue reading Preview: The LKY Musical (2022) by Aiwei and Singapore Repertory Theatre

By The Book: 2022 Singapore Literature Prize awards 8 first time winners

After two years of restrictions and social distancing, the Singapore Literature Prize (SLP) awards ceremony made its return in-person for the first time since 2018 at Victoria Theatre. Suratman Markasan and Wang Gungwu have made history as the oldest winners of SLP, while eight of the 12 recipients are first-time winners with a mix of seasoned and emerging writers. Tamil writer ரமா சுரேஷ் (Rama Suresh) … Continue reading By The Book: 2022 Singapore Literature Prize awards 8 first time winners

Art What!: An Interview with Ali Shabaz, Chief Creative Officer of M&C Saatchi Group, on new art prize ‘Art For Change’

In partnership with Saatchi Gallery in London, M&C Saatchi Group have launched a global Art Prize to identify the next generation of emerging artists, in line with the partnership’s aim to deepen access to contemporary art, broaden learning opportunities for young people in the UK and worldwide and identify the next generation of artists influencing real societal change. Together they believe in the power of … Continue reading Art What!: An Interview with Ali Shabaz, Chief Creative Officer of M&C Saatchi Group, on new art prize ‘Art For Change’

Local heritage in a new light: An Interview with Singapore Night Festival 2022 Festival Director David Chew

After the quietude brought by the pandemic for the last two years, the annual Singapore Night Festival 2022 (SNF 2022) is back in full for its 13th edition, highlighting the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct with a curated selection of six projection mapping installations, 15 Night Lights installations, five performance locations with over 30 performances, five experiential programmes and a Festival Village.  Amidst the celebrations, it … Continue reading Local heritage in a new light: An Interview with Singapore Night Festival 2022 Festival Director David Chew

Preview: Surviving Hope – A Theatre Play about Hope and Mental Wellness

A local theatre collective group comprising of actors and performers has started a project ‘Surviving Hope’, an original theatre play inspired by real stories exploring notions of hope and mental wellness.  Surviving Hope sheds light on life’s hidden experiences, and aims to inspire the audience to accept themselves for who they are, no matter how the world changes. The production will be held from 2 … Continue reading Preview: Surviving Hope – A Theatre Play about Hope and Mental Wellness