Arts of the UK 2020: Peter Polycarpou and Sally Ann Triplett revive the golden era in Falling Stars

LONDON – Stars of stage and screen Peter Polycarpou (Man of La Mancha, London Coliseum; City of Angels; Donmar Warehouse; Birds of a Feather) and Sally Ann Triplett (Finding Neverland, Broadway; Viva Forever, Piccadilly Theatre; EastEnders) unite in the new musical Falling Stars. Conceived and written by Polycarpou, the song cycle is an homage to the composers, collaborators, and publishers of the 1920s, who created some … Continue reading Arts of the UK 2020: Peter Polycarpou and Sally Ann Triplett revive the golden era in Falling Stars

Music Is: JAWN ends 5-year hiatus with new single ‘Feel Too Much’

Following a 5-year hiatus and a recent collaborative release of ‘Simple’ with fellow artist lewloh, Singaporean singer-songwriter JAWN is back with his latest single, ‘Feel Too Much’, a revelry celebrating the setbacks of a boisterous mind, and as per the track title — feeling too much.  This brand new single is a feel-good foot-stomper made for the road trip we couldn’t afford to take in … Continue reading Music Is: JAWN ends 5-year hiatus with new single ‘Feel Too Much’

★★★★☆ Book Review: A Fickle and Restless Weapon by Jason Erik Lundberg

Well-crafted fantasy version of Singapore brings the satire and drama in full force. Singapore is a country that’s often touted as so modern, it belongs in a science fiction film. Heck, even HBO’s Westworld filmed here on location for its third season. So it’s little wonder that with a little imagination, our island home serves as the perfect base for a refreshingly original science fiction story, … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: A Fickle and Restless Weapon by Jason Erik Lundberg

★★★☆☆ Book Review: My BFF Is An Alien – Sabotage by Vivian Teo

Feisty schoolgirls return to battle mean classmates and the perils of social media. When the first book in Vivian Teo’s My BFF Is An Alien series ended, Bukit Timah Girls’ School student Abriana was left forlorn when best friend (and alien royalty) Octavia returned to her home planet, not knowing exactly when she’d be back to visit. As it turns out, it wouldn’t be too long, as … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: My BFF Is An Alien – Sabotage by Vivian Teo

★★★★☆ Book Review: The Marvellous Sugee Cake by Quek Hong Shin

Lush, colourful illustrations introduces younger readers to the iconic sugee cake and Eurasian culture.  If there’s one quintessentially Eurasian cuisine we will always say yes to, it’s sugee cake. Unique in its use of semolina and rich almond taste, a sugee cake is the perfect dessert to enjoy at the end of a meal, or as a snack for afternoon tea, sure to lift your … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: The Marvellous Sugee Cake by Quek Hong Shin

★★★★☆ Book Review: A Good True Thai by Sunisa Manning

Poignant debut delves into the Thai university protests of the 70s through the lens of tragedy and revolt.  The title of Thai author Sunisa Manning’s debut novel begs the question: what exactly makes someone a ‘good true Thai’? Similar to the most compelling political dissidents around the world, one might perhaps think of it as being critical, yet always done with the country’s best interests … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: A Good True Thai by Sunisa Manning

Preview: Idomeneo Refracted by The Opera People

The last time we watched The Opera People was in March, prior to the COVID-19 lockdown. But not even a pandemic can stop the arts, as they’re back, this time with the first ever film opera made in Singapore and the Singapore premiere of Mozart’s Idomeneo. In the film, watch as the spirits of five characters gather in an empty theatre, drawn to a ghost light. In … Continue reading Preview: Idomeneo Refracted by The Opera People

Film Fanatic: German Film Festival 2020 (Preview)

The German Film Festival (GFF) is back this October, with a diverse range of German films tackling contemporary issues, each with their own gripping narratives and strong characters, who seek their places in an ever changing and complex world. Presented by the Goethe-Institut Singapore alongside The Projector and the Projector Plus, a total of eight films will be presented both live and online, ranging from … Continue reading Film Fanatic: German Film Festival 2020 (Preview)

★★★☆☆ Film Review: Repossession dir. Goh Ming Siu and Scott C. Hillyard

It’s easy to summon your inner demons when your life is going to pieces. As many ghost stories as you’ve heard in your life, nothing supernatural ever quite comes as close to the existential terror of being retrenched in image-conscious Singapore. Coming on the heels of an all-time unemployment high thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic then, Goh Ming Siu and Scott C. Hillyard’s upcoming screening of … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Film Review: Repossession dir. Goh Ming Siu and Scott C. Hillyard

Art Down Under 2020: OzAsia Festival reaches international audience with new online talks series

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – Contemporary artists and arts professionals from across Asia will share their stories with a worldwide audience for OzAsia Talks – a series of critical conversations presented by Adelaide Festival Centre’s OzAsia Festival. Programmed and hosted by recently appointed OzAsia Festival Artistic Director Annette Shun Wah, the innovative new online series will feature panel discussions, artist profiles and poetry performances. From 20th October to 3rd … Continue reading Art Down Under 2020: OzAsia Festival reaches international audience with new online talks series