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

A Wave of Change: An Interview with Lina Marican, Regional Managing Director of Mutant Communications, on CSR Initiative ‘Mutant For Good’

Since setting up shop in Singapore in 2012, local PR and communications agency Mutant Communications are ready to celebrate their milestone 10 year anniversary. But being ‘a little bit extra’ (as evidenced by the third arch in the ‘m’ of their signature neon green logo), Mutant is choosing to go an extra step to do something different, and commemorate with a brand new initiative – … Continue reading A Wave of Change: An Interview with Lina Marican, Regional Managing Director of Mutant Communications, on CSR Initiative ‘Mutant For Good’

End of the Rainbow: An Interview with director Tracie Pang and actress Mina Kaye

Who was Judy Garland? For some, she will always be remembered as Dorothy in MGM’s The Wizard of Oz. For others, she’s been immortalised for her iconic voice across her recordings, forever pure, sweet and soulful. And for others, she is nothing and nobody, a product of the previous generation lost to drugs and time. Come October however, local theatre company Pangdemonium will end their … Continue reading End of the Rainbow: An Interview with director Tracie Pang and actress Mina Kaye

By Design: An Interview with DesignSingapore Council Executive Director Dawn Lim on Singapore Design Week

Design is everywhere around us. From the homes we live in to the clothes we wear, all these and more were made with deliberate thought that went into every decision. And as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong puts it: “Singapore is a nation by design. Nothing we have today is natural, or happened by itself. Somebody thought about it, made it happen.” And now more … Continue reading By Design: An Interview with DesignSingapore Council Executive Director Dawn Lim on Singapore Design Week

★★★★☆ Review: The LKY Musical (2022) by Aiwei and Singapore Repertory Theatre

Life and times of Singapore’s founding father traces our road to independence. Playing a national figure onstage is never an easy task, particularly when it comes to politicians held in high regard. And when it comes to the founding father of a nation, it can be incredibly stressful to maintain the fine line between a respectful depiction and entertainment value – in a musical, no … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: The LKY Musical (2022) by Aiwei and Singapore Repertory Theatre

★★★★☆ Review: Berak by Teater Ekamatra

Chong Tze Chien’s Poop! takes on new life for a Malay audience. According to the Islamic faith, a person commits suicide is sent straight to hell. Yet, within Malay culture, there remains the belief in the existence of hantus and lingering spirits that remain earthbound even after death. Does that then suggest there are alternative means to think about what lies after death, and use … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Berak by Teater Ekamatra

See You, Anniversary: An Interview with Nelson Chia and Mia Chee on Nine Years Theatre and relationships

In the world of dating, finding your other half is often easier done from within the same industry. And for Nelson Chia and Mia Chee, who’ve known each other for over 20 years now, love came naturally for the two of them over their shared experiences in theatre. “We were actually both in NUS Theatre Studies at the same time, but in different batches, so … Continue reading See You, Anniversary: An Interview with Nelson Chia and Mia Chee on Nine Years Theatre and relationships

Staging the Singapore Story: An Interview with director Steven Dexter and actor Adrian Pang on Aiwei and SRT’s The LKY Musical (2022)

In a world of unusual musical concepts, Aiwei and Singapore Repertory Theatre’s (SRT) The LKY Musical probably ranks among the more unexpected ones. Based on the life and times of Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, The LKY Musical treads a difficult line of having to balance respect for the man’s legacy, chart an accurate and comprehensive enough history of Singapore, and still deliver … Continue reading Staging the Singapore Story: An Interview with director Steven Dexter and actor Adrian Pang on Aiwei and SRT’s The LKY Musical (2022)

uproot | rootless: An Interview with The Substation Artistic Director Ezzam Rahman, and artists of SeptFest 2022

There was a time when arts venue The Substation had a massive Malayan Banyan Tree growing along the walls of Timbre. Considered an iconic part of The Substation, the tree had been there even before the founding of the venue in 1990, and became the site for countless events, gigs and performances, representing the ongoing connection between art and nature. But come 2015, the Banyan … Continue reading uproot | rootless: An Interview with The Substation Artistic Director Ezzam Rahman, and artists of SeptFest 2022

Full Steam Ahead: An Interview with Dim Sum Dollies Pam Oei and Jo Tan, and Music Director Elaine Chan

With the short run most productions have and few restagings, the longevity of any theatre show or concept in Singapore is never guaranteed. Which is why for local company Dream Academy, the continued success of their signature characters and IPs is a net positive all around. Amidst these, cabaret trio the Dim Sum Dollies remain a perennial favourite, having first making their claim to fame … Continue reading Full Steam Ahead: An Interview with Dim Sum Dollies Pam Oei and Jo Tan, and Music Director Elaine Chan