Meenah and Cheenah Strike Again: An Interview with Stars Judee Tan and Siti Khalijah, and Director Selena Tan

In light of a certain recent incident involving a Chinese person ‘trapped’ in a car, it feels like an act of clairvoyance was involved in Dream Academy’s timely decision to restage smash hit comedy show Meenah and Cheenah. Reprising their roles from the 2016 run are local actresses and dynamic duo Siti Khalijah and Judee Tan, playing the eponymous ‘Meenahs’ and ‘Cheenahs’ respectively. On the decision … Continue reading Meenah and Cheenah Strike Again: An Interview with Stars Judee Tan and Siti Khalijah, and Director Selena Tan

Huayi Festival 2019: Dear John by M.O.V.E. Theatre (Review)

A musical soundscape through unorthodox means. When John Cage’s controversial 4’33 premiered in 1952, never might the avant-garde composer have imagined the sheer impact he might have had in the field of music theory. Infamous for being four minutes and thirty three seconds of ‘silence’ as an orchestra stands still onstage, the work reflects Cage’s interests in Zen Buddhism, and his magnum opus epitomizing the theory … Continue reading Huayi Festival 2019: Dear John by M.O.V.E. Theatre (Review)

Preview: The Future of Our Pasts Festival by Yale-NUS College

Organised by Yale-NUS College in support of the Singapore Bicentennial, next week sees the launch of the inaugural The Future of Our Pasts Festival (TFOOPFest), seeking to explore lesser-known narratives in Singapore history through various art mediums. Running from 16th February to 17th March, the month-long festival features 11 projects created by local undergraduates, young artists and cultural advocates. The programme lineup is set to showcase a range of … Continue reading Preview: The Future of Our Pasts Festival by Yale-NUS College

Huayi Festival 2019: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by Li Liuyi Theatre Studio (Review)

Tragedy seems written in the stars in this lengthy production as the cosmos themselves bid our sweet prince goodnight.  Ranking among Shakespeare’s best works, it’s little surprise that Hamlet has seen countless productions and interpretations over the centuries. Opening the Esplanade’s Huayi Festival 2019, director Li Liuyi’s latest production of the piece sees the moody protagonist played by film star Hu Jun (Red Cliff, East Palace West Palace), … Continue reading Huayi Festival 2019: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by Li Liuyi Theatre Studio (Review)

In London’s West End 2018: The Cane by the Royal Court Theatre (Review)

A wicked reflection on victimization in the age of snowflakes. LONDON – For many adults, the image of a cane dredges up the memory of unpleasant childhoods, a symbol of punishment, fear and judgment. But as the years have gone by, corporeal punishment has in turn gone out of vogue, leaving the physical cane very much a thing of the past, becoming a hollow reminder of … Continue reading In London’s West End 2018: The Cane by the Royal Court Theatre (Review)

In London’s (Off) West End 2019: My White Best Friend and Other Letters Left Unsaid at the Bunker Theatre (Preview)

LONDON – 2019 is here, and we still live in a time where white feminism runs rampant, blackface happens from time to time, and racism and discrimination are well and alive. How do we strengthen the move for change and be inclusive, and tell white people themselves that they are part of the problem such that they just get it? Writer Rachel De-Lahay and director Milli Bhatia … Continue reading In London’s (Off) West End 2019: My White Best Friend and Other Letters Left Unsaid at the Bunker Theatre (Preview)

Touring The UK: The Trials of Oscar Wilde (Preview)

LONDON – If anyone is familiar with Wildean history at all, one would know that just days after the celebrated opening of The Importance of Being Earnest, he started legal proceedings against The Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel – a rash action leading to three scandalous trials that would go on to destroy his career, wreck his family and see him sentenced to two years … Continue reading Touring The UK: The Trials of Oscar Wilde (Preview)

Preview: First Storeys by Sean Cham (The Future of Our Pasts Festival)

Sean Cham’s 2019 is fast shaping up to be one of his busiest ones yet – hot on the heels of his photo exhibition This Is Where as part of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2019, the young artist returns this March to present an ambitious new work as part of Yale-NUS’ The Future of Our Pasts Festival. Titled First Storeys, punning on the homonym of ‘stories’ … Continue reading Preview: First Storeys by Sean Cham (The Future of Our Pasts Festival)

In London’s (Off) West-End 2019: Dinner is Coming at The Vaults (Preview)

LONDON – Is it prescience that allowed the Vaults to coincide their latest immersive dining experience with the premiere of the final season of HBO’s Game of Thrones? Someone must have leaked a few spoilers, because this April, it’s time to get ready as the Several Kingdoms come together for a game of draconic proportions – Dinner is Coming. A loving parody of Game of Thrones, Dinner is Coming brings together … Continue reading In London’s (Off) West-End 2019: Dinner is Coming at The Vaults (Preview)

In London’s (Off) West End 2019: Greyscale at Soho Theatre by Anonymous Is A Woman (Preview)

LONDON – In the wake of the 2018 Aziz Ansari scandal, consent and learning to recognize it became a hot button issue, especially in light of the growing #MeToo movement and the exposure of sexual harassment in Hollywood. With that in mind, in Greyscale, playwrights Madeline Gould and Joel Samuels have both written monologues for characters on a date without conferring. Playing as part of VAULT Festival … Continue reading In London’s (Off) West End 2019: Greyscale at Soho Theatre by Anonymous Is A Woman (Preview)