Kingdoms Apart: An Interview with Playwright/Director Chong Tze Chien on adapting the Mahābhārata

The Indian epic The Mahabharata is often considered ‘the longest poem ever written’, charting an age old battle between two groups of cousins in the Kurukshetra War for power. To date, it remains one of the most well-known texts in world mythology, and has received countless retellings and adaptations over the years. For theatremaker Chong Tze Chien, The Mahabharata has held a special place in … Continue reading Kingdoms Apart: An Interview with Playwright/Director Chong Tze Chien on adapting the Mahābhārata

★★★★☆ Review: No.60 by Pichet Klunchun Dance Company

Demonstrative performance-lecture capturing Pichet Klunchun’s research and resistance against the traditional Khon format. Thai dancer Pichet Klunchun has spent the last twenty years of his life studying and performing the Thai traditional dance-drama form of khon, and in that time, has achieved a degree of mastery over the form. At the same time, he found frustration in the limitations with which it is taught and … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: No.60 by Pichet Klunchun Dance Company

Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2022 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Indian culture spans myriad art forms and genres, and once again, the Esplanade is back to celebrate that with the annual Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts. Taking place from 18th to 27th November 2022, the festival builds on the relationships developed over the years with artists and arts groups, while also introducing new and exciting artists and art forms that audiences can look … Continue reading Preview: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts 2022 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

★★★★★ Review: Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep by Margaret Leng Tan

Fragments of memory and avant garde performance come together for a singular work that could only be performed by Singapore’s most famous toy pianist. Category Score (out of 10) Performer (Margaret Leng Tan) 9 Composition (Erik Griswold) 9 Direction (Tamara Saulwick) 8 Video (Nick Roux) 9 Lighting (Andy Lim) 8 Costume (Yuan Zhiying) 8 Total 51/60 (85%) Stars ★★★★★ Born in 1945, experimental musician Margaret … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep by Margaret Leng Tan

★★★★☆ Review: Infinitely Closer by T.H.E Dance Company

T.H.E shows off the capabilities of the new Singtel Waterfront Theatre with this new show melding tech and art. Coinciding with the ongoing da:ns Festival, the newly opened Singtel Waterfront Theatre begins its journey with a bang, with the latest work from The Human Expression (T.H.E) Dance Company. Choreographed by T.H.E artistic director Kuik Swee Boon in conjunction with the performers (Brandon Khoo, Ng Zu … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Infinitely Closer by T.H.E Dance Company

Preview: Pangdemonium! brings back Season Ticket for 2023 theatre season

Following their latest, critically-acclaimed production of End of the Rainbow, Pangdemonium’s annual Season Ticket is finally making a highly-anticipated return for their 2023 season of theatre, after a three-year-long hiatus. Available from now till the end of the year, the Season Ticket heralds an exciting 2023 season ahead. 2020 to 2022 will likely be remembered as the “wilderness years”, with many of us having spent … Continue reading Preview: Pangdemonium! brings back Season Ticket for 2023 theatre season

Raising A Theatre: An Interview with Charcoalblue theatre consultants Amanda Brecknell and James Nowell

When you stop to think about it, the physical space of the theatre is a magical space. As an audience member, each time we step into a theatre venue, we are greeted with a surprise – the scene of a war-torn nation, a grandiose mansion interior, or a fantasy realm rife with otherworldly creatures. The ability for a single theatre to hold a multitude of … Continue reading Raising A Theatre: An Interview with Charcoalblue theatre consultants Amanda Brecknell and James Nowell

Music Is: Baybeats 2022 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

After two years of the pandemic, the 2022 edition of the annual Baybeats festival is ready to welcome back the crowds with a wave of alternative music from Singapore and beyond. Returning from 28th to 30th October over a single weekend, Baybeats 2022 welcomes back the return of the festival’s beloved Powerhouse stage—renamed Powerhouse2. Set up at the brand new Singtel Waterfront Theatre, fans of … Continue reading Music Is: Baybeats 2022 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

★★★★★ Review: Recalling Mother – Her Lines, My Lines by Checkpoint Theatre

Reflections on aging and mortality in the latest version of this ‘living play’. Originating as a simple idea where Claire Wong and Noorlinah Mohamed simply wanted to share stories of their mothers, over the last 16 years, the two theatremakers have managed to perform their show Recalling Mother across multiple iterations and across multiple countries, each version seeing the play grow and evolve alongside them. … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Recalling Mother – Her Lines, My Lines by Checkpoint Theatre

More Accessibility Features at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay as it celebrates its 20th anniversary

Making sure that the arts is accessible to and embraced by diverse communities in Singapore, is always at the heart of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s work. This October, as the centre celebrates its 20th anniversary, it will roll out a series of new accessibility features to welcome patrons of all ages and abilities. Esplanade will pilot Relaxed Environment (RE) performances at Octoburst! 2022—a … Continue reading More Accessibility Features at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay as it celebrates its 20th anniversary