★★★★★ Theatre Review: Charged (2026) by Teater Ekamatra

Haunting revival interrogates the fragile foundations of Singapore’s racial harmony with unsettling force. Duration: 105min Singapore likes to tell itself a comforting story: that we are a multiracial nation where harmony is one of our greatest achievements. And while that may be true to a large extent, beneath the familiar choreography of Racial Harmony Day celebrations, bilingual policies and shared national rituals lies the assumption … Continue reading ★★★★★ Theatre Review: Charged (2026) by Teater Ekamatra

An interview with artistic director Shaza Ishak and actress Serene Chen on the complexity and social fault lines laid bare in Teater Ekamatra’s revival ‘Charged’

When Charged premiered in 2010, it did something few Singapore plays had dared to do back then. Set over a single night in an army camp during Chinese New Year, Chong Tze Chien’s drama placed one of Singapore’s most enduring fault lines of race within one of its most sacred institutions. The Singapore Armed Forces has long been imagined as a crucible of nation-building, a … Continue reading An interview with artistic director Shaza Ishak and actress Serene Chen on the complexity and social fault lines laid bare in Teater Ekamatra’s revival ‘Charged’

Preview: Charged by Teater Ekamatra

Some plays don’t lose their relevance, but become even more necessary with time. This July, Teater Ekamatra revives CHARGED, the acclaimed play by Chong Tze Chien that first sparked conversation when it premiered in 2010. Running from 23 July to 2 August 2026 at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre, Wild Rice @ Funan, the production returns 16 years after its award-winning run, inviting a new … Continue reading Preview: Charged by Teater Ekamatra

Pesta Raya 2026: An Interview with ‘La Luna’ director Mohd Fared Jainal, playwright Ridhwan Saidi, and star Munah Bagharib

In an age where the world often feels divided and overexposed to outrage, the most compelling theatre sometimes comes from stories that remind us what it means to live, work, and confront challenges together. This year’s La Luna, making its stage debut during Pesta Raya at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, does exactly that: it’s a feel-good comedy that also asks audiences to look … Continue reading Pesta Raya 2026: An Interview with ‘La Luna’ director Mohd Fared Jainal, playwright Ridhwan Saidi, and star Munah Bagharib

★★★☆☆ Review: National Memory Project by Teater Ekamatra

The future of Singapore is bleak, in a city that is all too willing to archive its past. While across the world, developing and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in daily life is fast becoming the norm, it’s been especially worrying that local government entities have been leaping onto the AI trend and adopted it as the next big thing. From designing posters to interactive … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: National Memory Project by Teater Ekamatra

An Interview with the cast and creatives of Teater Ekamatra’s ‘National Memory Project’

This June, Teater Ekamatra returns with National Memory Project, a quietly devastating, politically astute, and culturally layered play by Jonny Jon Jon. Originally staged in 2012 and again in 2016, this third incarnation marks the play’s first under Ekamatra’s banner, and will be helmed by Mohd Fared Jainal, who directs the two-hander starring Ellison Tan and Fir Rahman. At the helm is Ekamatra’s long-time artistic … Continue reading An Interview with the cast and creatives of Teater Ekamatra’s ‘National Memory Project’

Shaza Ishak appointed Artistic Director of Teater Ekamatra

Teater Ekamatra, one of the longest running ethnic minority theatre companies, has appointed Managing Director, Shaza Ishak, as their new Artistic Director. She succeeds Mohd Fared Jainal, who will step down after a decade in this position. With this new appointment, effective 1 April 2023, Shaza will relinquish her role as Ekamatra’s Managing Director.  “It is with the utmost pleasure that I welcome Shaza as Ekamatra’s new Artistic … Continue reading Shaza Ishak appointed Artistic Director of Teater Ekamatra

★★★★☆ Review: Berak by Teater Ekamatra

Chong Tze Chien’s Poop! takes on new life for a Malay audience. According to the Islamic faith, a person commits suicide is sent straight to hell. Yet, within Malay culture, there remains the belief in the existence of hantus and lingering spirits that remain earthbound even after death. Does that then suggest there are alternative means to think about what lies after death, and use … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Berak by Teater Ekamatra

Esplanade’s The Studios 2022: An Interview with Teater Ekamatra’s Mohd Fared Jainal and Zulfadli Rashid on ‘Berak’

When Chong Tze Chien’s Poop was first staged back in 2010, the new play was a tour de force that firmly cemented The Finger Players (TFP) as a company to watch, with a heartbreaking story about love and loss, told through evocative music, effective lighting, and of course, whimsical puppetry. 12 years on and several restagings later, the contemporary classic is getting a brand new … Continue reading Esplanade’s The Studios 2022: An Interview with Teater Ekamatra’s Mohd Fared Jainal and Zulfadli Rashid on ‘Berak’

Teater Ekamatra leaves Aliwal Arts Centre

After almost a decade of calling Aliwal Arts Centre home, Teater Ekamatra will move out on 28th February 2022. Marking this moment, the company is showcasing a special multimedia installation by local artist Safuan Johari, Packing/Unpacking, as a nod to the company’s history and legacy in Singapore, on show from now till Sunday, 6th February. Teater Ekamatra’s plans for the future are an acknowledgement of … Continue reading Teater Ekamatra leaves Aliwal Arts Centre