Preview: TRIP 2023 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

The Esplanade’s annual The Studios series is back again, continually presenting challenging, innovative and exploratory contemporary theatre and performance. Running since 2003, it has established a reputation for presenting thought-provoking works and giving space for theatre-makers to explore different issues in a variety of forms. Come 2023 however, The Studios season is about to make a change, and in line with the recent opening of … Continue reading Preview: TRIP 2023 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Review: Bruch Violin Concerto and Mahler 5 by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Dubbed a violin prodigy in Singapore, Singapore Symphony Orchestra Artist-In-Residence Chloe Chua performed Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the orchestra this March. Known for his impassioned melodies and searing energy, Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 has been described as the composer’s “richest and the most seductive”, this particular concerto requires great control and pacing, both of which came through in the performance. Chloe … Continue reading Review: Bruch Violin Concerto and Mahler 5 by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Preview: March On 2023 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Come March, and the first school holidays of the year will be upon us. And with that comes the next edition of the Esplanade’s March On, an annual arts festival aimed at younger audience members. This time around, the festival will examine issues such as safe spaces for children, how children see themselves and overcome difficulties, and how the community can help support that. A … Continue reading Preview: March On 2023 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Preview: Quest – The White Hare by Toy Factory Productions

This March, Toy Factory artistic director Goh Boon Teck is set to premiere a brand new play, with his 17th original script – Quest – The White Hare (追寻 – 白兔记). Making its debut at the Esplanade Theatre from 3-4 March, the play is a cross-section between traditional Hokkien Opera and contemporary mandarin theatre on stage. Taking on a play within a play format, Boon … Continue reading Preview: Quest – The White Hare by Toy Factory Productions

Review: Solo/Oray Aal 2023 by SITFE

6 new monologues that explore and celebrate Indian identity, and relations. Now in its second instalment, the Singapore Indian Theatre and Film Explorers (SITFE) presented their new edition of their Solo/Oray Aal monologue series. Bringing together writers, directors and actors to create and perform six brand new monologues, Solo/Oray Aal 2023 reminded audience members of the power of joy, and how celebration marks the light at … Continue reading Review: Solo/Oray Aal 2023 by SITFE

★★★★★ Review: Kemas by Teater Kami

The horror of isolation is brought to life, in a terrifying play about the loneliness of existence. Category Score (out of 10) Direction (Moli Mohter) 9 Script (Moli Mohter) 9 Performance (Dalifah Shahril, Rusydina Afiqah, Mahyonis Mahfudz, Suhaila M Sanif) 9 Costume Design (Moli Mohter) 8 Lighting Design (Emanorwatty Saleh) 8 Sound Design (Tini Aliman) 10 Total 53/60 (88%) Final Score: ★★★★★ There’s a popular … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Kemas by Teater Kami

Teater KAMi’s Kemas: An Interview with writer/director Moli Mohter

Life can often get a little messy – that’s why every once in a while, we might need to perform an act of ‘kemas’, or ‘tidy’ in Malay. That’s what theatremaker Moli Mohter did in 2018, as a sudden thought gripped her – “what if I died, and somebody came by to clean my house, what would they find?” “I was staying by myself at … Continue reading Teater KAMi’s Kemas: An Interview with writer/director Moli Mohter

★★★★★ Review: 13 Tongues by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre

Capturing and celebrating the rich sights, sounds and memories of Taiwan’s Bangka district through dance. Before he became artistic director of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Cheng Tsung-lung was helping his father sell slippers on the streets of Taiwan’s Bangka district to help support his family in the ’80s. Recalling how as a child, his mother would tell him about legendary 1960s street artist and storyteller known … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: 13 Tongues by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre

Review: The Drought Goddess · Dream of the World by La Cie MaxMind

A sacred myth and traditional music is brought into the present for new audiences. The Chinese legend of Hanba is a tragic one, where the central drought goddess, after helping her celestial father win an epic war, loses her divinity and is banished to Earth. Forced to wander from village to village, she is shunned wherever she goes as she dries out the land with … Continue reading Review: The Drought Goddess · Dream of the World by La Cie MaxMind

★★★★★ Review: Two men, ten years later (两男常罩) by HORSE

30 years of growing together as friends and artists. Category Score (out of 10) Direction (Edward Lam) 9 Performance (Chen Wu-kang and Su Wei-chia) 9 Choreography (Chen Wu-kang and Su Wei-chia) 9 Music (Lee Shih-yang) 9 Lighting Design (Chen Chao-chun) 8 Video Design (Sun Ruey-horng) 8 Stage Design (Liao Yin-chiao) 8 Costume Design (Yu-fang Teng) 8 Total 68/80 (85%) Final Score: ★★★★★ After meeting as … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Two men, ten years later (两男常罩) by HORSE