Review: The Silence of All Things: Thus Have I Heard by Siong Leng Musical Association

Deconstructing the idea of Nanyin music to find relevance in today’s age. As important as traditional art forms are, many of them end up endangered with how niche the audience tends to be, and how newer generations may no longer be as aware or appreciative of them. To that end, the Siong Leng Musical Association has been consistently contributing impressive efforts towards the preservation and … Continue reading Review: The Silence of All Things: Thus Have I Heard by Siong Leng Musical Association

da:ns focus – Out of Site: An Interview with choreographer Rachid Ouramdane on ‘Corps extrêmes’ and staging the power of the human spirit

In a feature article on French choreographer Rachid Ouramdane, New York Times arts critic Gia Kourlas described him as ‘the choreographer bringing hope to the stage and beyond’. It’s a big title to live up to, but one that Rachid lives up to and carries well, particularly with his work Corps extrêmes. Playing at the Esplanade this weekend as part of their da:ns focus – … Continue reading da:ns focus – Out of Site: An Interview with choreographer Rachid Ouramdane on ‘Corps extrêmes’ and staging the power of the human spirit

da:ns focus – Out of Site: An Interview with choreographer Hwa Wei-An on the power of falling, and what keeps him going

To make art is to live life dangerously and vulnerably, consistently putting one’s creativity and a part of one’s self up and subject it to as much criticism as awe and adoration. For Malaysian choreographer Hwa Wei-An, that danger comes very literally, and plays out prominently in his solo dance piece A Reason For Falling, which plays this December as a part of the Esplanade’s … Continue reading da:ns focus – Out of Site: An Interview with choreographer Hwa Wei-An on the power of falling, and what keeps him going

Kalaa Utsavam 2024: An Interview with HuM Theatre’s Subin Subaiah and Daisy Irani on ‘Train to Pakistan’

India’s Partition is often considered one of the most significant historical events of South Asia. Cleaving a nation into two upon India’s independence, millions of families faced displacement and separation from each other, with countless deaths from the violence that ensued over the bitter rivalry, with tensions that continue even into the present day. How then does one even begin to grapple with the massive … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2024: An Interview with HuM Theatre’s Subin Subaiah and Daisy Irani on ‘Train to Pakistan’

★★★★★ Review: The Feelings Farm by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

A moving, necessary primer on emotional intelligence for both children and adults. The beauty of the arts often lies in how they are able to produce powerful emotional responses, representing and platforming a degree of authenticity onstage that allows for audiences to undergo catharsis. And in a country like Singapore, where emotional and mental health are just beginning to enter mainstream conversation, it seems more … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: The Feelings Farm by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

★★★☆☆ Review: KAGAMI by Tin Drum and Ryuichi Sakamoto

A spiritual connection to the lingering ghost in the music and the machine. There has always been something immensely timeless about the compositions of the late Japanese pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto, with avant garde works that capture listeners from their opening notes filled with emotion, to more sparse, esoteric pieces that evoke entire landscapes in the journey they take us through, connecting the individual to the … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: KAGAMI by Tin Drum and Ryuichi Sakamoto

Preview: da:ns focus – Out of Site by Esplanade

In the final edition of da:ns focus this year, the Esplanade presents da:ns focus – Out of Site, a weekend of dance performances that foregrounds the intersection of extreme sports and dance. Presented from 6 – 8 December, it’s time to break new ground as these programmes consider how sites of extreme sports function as catalysts for dialogues with risk that unlock new thresholds and stir … Continue reading Preview: da:ns focus – Out of Site by Esplanade

Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2024 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

As Deepavali approaches, so does the Esplanade’s annual Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts, as it returns to celebrate the rich tapestry of Indian arts and culture. From timeless traditions to contemporary offerings, the 2024 edition of the festival brings a carefully-curated selection of artists presenting new and exciting work, both local and international, aiming to touch the heart and ignite the imagination. Headlining … Continue reading Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2024 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

The Feelings Farm: An Interview with Amanda Chong on connecting with children and managing emotions

“Like a Pixar film onstage.” That’s how writer Amanda Chong imagines any kind of Theatre For Young Audiences theatre should feel like, rather than talking down or infantilising it in any way, able to connect not just with children, but even with the adults accompanying them by speaking to some fundamental, universal, relatable truths. And in many ways, that is precisely what she’s achieved with … Continue reading The Feelings Farm: An Interview with Amanda Chong on connecting with children and managing emotions

Staging Ryuichi Sakamoto: An Interview with Todd Eckert, founder of Tin Drum and co-creator of KAGAMI on technology and friendship in the arts

In March 2023, Ryuichi Sakamoto, one of Japan’s greatest contemporary composers and pianists, passed on after a long battle with cancer. Known for his ambient, sparse compositions that were capable of evoking powerful reactions and emotions from his listeners, his fans mourned him, while also knowing they would never get to see him perform live again. Yet, one of those fans, who also happened to … Continue reading Staging Ryuichi Sakamoto: An Interview with Todd Eckert, founder of Tin Drum and co-creator of KAGAMI on technology and friendship in the arts