Mari Kita Main Wayang: An Interview with director Alvin Tan and playwright Zulfadli Rashid on the then, now and future of Peranakan theatre

Amongst the many forms of cultural theatre that exist in Singapore, one of the rarer genres would be Peranakan theatre. Often presented in Baba Melayu language, the art form was prevalent from the 1920s to the early 1960s but went dormant for over 20 years. In 1984, it was revived in a landmark play, Pileh Menantu, by the late Peranakan playwright Felix Chia, commissioned for … Continue reading Mari Kita Main Wayang: An Interview with director Alvin Tan and playwright Zulfadli Rashid on the then, now and future of Peranakan theatre

Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2023 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts is back this November to showcase and explore Indian and Singapore-Indian identity and culture through the performing arts. This year, the festival features some of India and Singapore’s best-known names in theatre, dance and music, who celebrate the power of stories and folklore, through both traditional and contemporary mediums. Leading Singapore comedian … Continue reading Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2023 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

★★★★★ Review: Into The Woods by Pangdemonium!

Local all star production of Sondheim’s classic is the must-see musical of the year. Among Stephen Sondheim’s many works, Into The Woods remains one of his best and most enduring. On the surface, the musical, with a Tony Award-winning book by James Lapine, ostensibly seems like a colourful mash-up of the most renowned fairy tales, utilising the clever conceit of the woods to bring them … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Into The Woods by Pangdemonium!

Pangdemonium’s ‘Into The Woods’: An Interview with director Tracie Pang, and cast members Daniel Koek, Frances Lee and Nathania Ong

In the world of musical theatre, the late Stephen Sondheim may be a celebrated composer and lyricist, but if ever a performer is tasked to star in one of his musicals, it ends up being a bit of an uphill climb with the complexity of his songs and numbers. But if it’s one team that’s confident about doing justice to his work, it’s Pangdemonium, as … Continue reading Pangdemonium’s ‘Into The Woods’: An Interview with director Tracie Pang, and cast members Daniel Koek, Frances Lee and Nathania Ong

Preview: Into The Woods by Pangdemonium!

For their final production of 2023, local theatre company Pangdemonium is set to present critically-acclaimed musical Into the Woods this October and November. Featuring timeless music and lyrics by the late Stephen Sondheim, and a captivating story by James Lapine, this Tony Award-winning production promises a mesmerising experience where the worlds of beloved fairy tales collide. Directed by Tracie Pang, Into the Woods presents a … Continue reading Preview: Into The Woods by Pangdemonium!

★★★★★ Review: 13 & 14 by TAO Dance Theater

A testament to the ceaseless persistence of the essence of dance. Founded in 2008, for over fourteen years now, China’s TAO Dance Theater has been exploring the very essence of dance itself. Led by artistic directors Tao Ye, Duan Ni and Wang Hao, the company has distilled the art of dance to its core aspects, manifested as minimalist productions that focus entirely on the infinite … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: 13 & 14 by TAO Dance Theater

Music Is: Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra at Esplanade Concert Hall

Having made its debut 10 years ago at Tokyo’s Jazz Auditoria 2013, Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra comprises some of the finest jazz players in Japan. For one night only, this acclaimed ensemble returns to Esplanade for an electrifying, soul-stirring night of big band jazz. Led by trumpet virtuoso and music director Eric Miyashiro, Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra has performed at festivals … Continue reading Music Is: Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra at Esplanade Concert Hall

Music Is: Baybeats 2023 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Back this October for one weekend only, the 22nd edition of Baybeats, Singapore’s largest alternative music festival, is not to be missed by music lovers as Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay presents an exciting line-up of homegrown and international acts. This year’s edition sees new partnerships, with Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards and Festival (GMA) and Ear Up Music Festival from Hong Kong, giving the … Continue reading Music Is: Baybeats 2023 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Review: Albizia by Robert Zhao Renhui

Life finds a way. In the highly urbanised landscape of Singapore, it’s easy to forget that beyond the trees lining the edges of roads and our publicly accessible gardens and parks, our island is also home to full-blown forests on the fringes of the city, lining expressway edges and more ‘ulu’ locations. Amidst these are the secondary forests, a type of forest that has emerged … Continue reading Review: Albizia by Robert Zhao Renhui

Esplanade’s The Studios 2023: An Interview with Robert Zhao Renhui on nature, co-existence, and his new installation ‘Albizia’

The Albizia tree is a common sight in Singapore, having been introduced to our country in the 1870s for its ability to grow quickly and provide additional shade and build up forests. However, thanks to its ability to spread its seeds by wind, it is now seen as an invasive species, and has found homes in environments as varied as wastelands to roadsides, forming their … Continue reading Esplanade’s The Studios 2023: An Interview with Robert Zhao Renhui on nature, co-existence, and his new installation ‘Albizia’