M1 Singapore Fringe 2022: An Interview with Goh Shou Yi on urban loneliness in ‘0.01’

In the span of two years, COVID-19 may have disrupted the world as we knew it, but perhaps, has also been necessary for unveiling some deep-seated, undiscussed issues within our society. In remaining cooped up at home, in social distancing and covering up with masks, and in choosing to put ourselves before others, our innate sense of urban loneliness in the big city has been … Continue reading M1 Singapore Fringe 2022: An Interview with Goh Shou Yi on urban loneliness in ‘0.01’

M1 Singapore Fringe 2022: An Interview with Circle Theatre on Thai theatre and ‘OK Land’

Thanks to how often its citizens flash a grin, Thailand has been nicknamed as the ‘Land of Smiles’. But particularly over the last few years, we’ve seen how the country has begun to experience greater unrest among its people, over problematic government policies, and disillusionment amongst its youth. Is everything really OK? All that and more comes into question in OK Land, a production by … Continue reading M1 Singapore Fringe 2022: An Interview with Circle Theatre on Thai theatre and ‘OK Land’

M1 Singapore Fringe 2022: An Interview with Sophie Besse on co-creating theatre in ‘Borderline’

Psychotherapist, playwright and theatre director Sophie Besse isn’t here to create theatre. Rather, theatre seems to be a natural byproduct of the method she uses to help her collaborators tell their stories through drama, and in the process, perhaps even assist in their healing. All of this is done under her theatre company PSYCHEdelight, which uses drama as a platform to help people express themselves … Continue reading M1 Singapore Fringe 2022: An Interview with Sophie Besse on co-creating theatre in ‘Borderline’

M1 Singapore Fringe 2022: An Interview with Travis Clausen-Knight and James Pett on presenting toxicity and perspective in ‘IMAGO’

Some people call it the honeymoon phase – that point at the start of a relationship where nothing can possibly go wrong, your partner is perfect in every way, and all those little tics that would ordinarily annoy you? Nah, you can put those aside for now. But fast forward a few months, and it’s not long before things change. And perhaps worst of all, … Continue reading M1 Singapore Fringe 2022: An Interview with Travis Clausen-Knight and James Pett on presenting toxicity and perspective in ‘IMAGO’

M1 Singapore Fringe 2022: An Interview with organisers The Necessary Stage

This week, the annual M1 Singapore Fringe Festival is returning to our shores. Organised by The Necessary Stage, this year’s festival marks the second since the pandemic began, and is a spiritual follow-up to the previous Fringe’s theme of Quiet Riot, which featured works that zoomed in on individuals and groups finding new ways of agitating for change from within. Change remains a subtle focus … Continue reading M1 Singapore Fringe 2022: An Interview with organisers The Necessary Stage

★★★☆☆ Review: Big Brown Girl by How Drama

Dating in a time of Tinder, encapsulated in this interactive mini musical revue. Thanks to the advent of dating apps, love has become a commodity, where a simple swipe right could land you the man of your dreams (or maybe, a hot one night stand). With the ability to filter, judge and block a potential date based on profile alone however, these same dating apps … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Big Brown Girl by How Drama

How Drama’s Big Brown Girl: An Interview with co-creator Ross Nasir

If ever How Drama wanted to make a statement, they sure as heck are doing just that, with that new show, unabashedly titled Big Brown Girl. Originally slated to take place earlier this year during the Esplanade’s Flipside 2021, Big Brown Girl is now receiving a December staging, simultaneously playing in-person and streaming live online to round off the year. Co-created by Ross Nasir and … Continue reading How Drama’s Big Brown Girl: An Interview with co-creator Ross Nasir

SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Tan Chui Mui, director of ‘Barbarian Invasion’

If it’s one person you should expect the unexpected from, it’s Malaysian director Tan Chui Mui. A pioneer of the Malaysian New Wave, Tan is a chameleon of a person, constantly challenging herself to go one step further in her artistry, her head a chaotic but dazzling swirl of ideas, and always ensuring that the work she puts out is of a high quality. In … Continue reading SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Tan Chui Mui, director of ‘Barbarian Invasion’

SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Taiki Sakpisit, director of ‘The Edge of Daybreak’

Thai director Taiki Sakpisit is in town for the 32nd Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF). Not only is he promoting his FIPRESCI Prize-winning debut feature film The Edge of Daybreak, but also, he’s mentoring budding Southeast Asian filmmakers here as part of SGIFF’s Film Lab programme. Speaking to us over coffee, Taiki is a soft-spoken man, genuinely joyous and full of enthusiasm when speaking about … Continue reading SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Taiki Sakpisit, director of ‘The Edge of Daybreak’

SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Jake Wachtel, director of ‘Karmalink’

It’s Thanksgiving over in the USA, but Jake Wachtel is 8,000 miles away from his home in California. Instead, the director is here in Singapore to promote his debut feature film Karmalink, which plays as part of the 32nd Singapore International Film Festival. Touted as the first Cambodian science fiction film, Karmalink is a triumph in the small country’s developing film scene, with a majority … Continue reading SGIFF 2021: An Interview with Jake Wachtel, director of ‘Karmalink’