TRIP 2023: An Interview with Renee Yeong, director of ‘I am trying to say something true’

Singaporean theatremaker Renee Yeong (she/they) spent her undergraduate years at NYU in America before returning in 2019, and had initially planned to return to the States on a freelance artist visa after spending some time with family and friends. That plan was put on indefinite hiatus once the pandemic struck, and she’s since been based in Singapore, working a corporate role by day to make … Continue reading TRIP 2023: An Interview with Renee Yeong, director of ‘I am trying to say something true’

TRIP 2023: An Interview with Sim Yan Ying “YY”, director of No Particular Order

Over the course of the pandemic, Sim Yan Ying “YY” (she/her) established herself as an early-career director unafraid to experiment with form and boldly tackle new, never-before performed scripts. To that end, she’s probably one of the most exciting young directors to look out for in Singapore, and makes a perfect candidate for the first batch of the Esplanade’s inaugural TRIP programme, which empowers early … Continue reading TRIP 2023: An Interview with Sim Yan Ying “YY”, director of No Particular Order

NUS Arts Festival 2023: An Interview with director Chong Tze Chien and performer Jo Tan of ‘The Future Show’

Predicting the future is all but impossible, but that’s never stopped all of humanity from speculating the infinite possibilities tomorrow might hold. It stands to reason then, that it makes for a rather exciting, experimental type of show, one that Canadian performance artist Deborah Pearson has crafted with her work The Future Show. Adapted by director Chong Tze Chien and writer/performer Jo Tan, The Future … Continue reading NUS Arts Festival 2023: An Interview with director Chong Tze Chien and performer Jo Tan of ‘The Future Show’

Review: Tri Ka Tsai – A uniquely trilingual Hong Kong cabaret by Yuri Ng X Anna Lo X Rick Lau

The Hong Kong term Tri Ka Tsai specifically refers to a trilingual Gen X or millennial living in post-colonial Hong Kong who speaks Cantonese, English and Putonghua (Mandarin). While some people may see that as a mishmash of cultures, Hong Kongers and artists Yuri Ng, Anna Lo and Rick Lau have instead chosen to embrace their status as proud tri ka tsais themselves, and come together … Continue reading Review: Tri Ka Tsai – A uniquely trilingual Hong Kong cabaret by Yuri Ng X Anna Lo X Rick Lau

Preview: NUS Arts Festival 2023 – Spaces Between

Taking place between 10 and 26 March, the NUS Arts Festival is back for a new edition. Titled Spaces Between, this year’s festival examines the idea of liminal spaces – the uncomfortable yet exciting unknown that we encounter as we transition between phases and states. While liminal spaces can bring discomfort and ambiguity, they also present opportunities for growth and change. In a world of diverse and divided views, the NUS Arts Festival seeks to … Continue reading Preview: NUS Arts Festival 2023 – Spaces Between

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

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: 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