Storyfest 2018: A Treasury of Transformative Tales

When I think of stories, one of the first things I immediately associate them with is Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Besides being a collection of stories of the Greek gods and goddesses, I also think about the title itself, and how the act of storytelling is one that allows for metamorphosis. Deceptively simple, storytelling requires the storyteller to weave and transform their words, their body, their voice … Continue reading Storyfest 2018: A Treasury of Transformative Tales

Preview: 《告亲夫》Prosecuting the Husband and《刘明珠》Lady Liu Ming Zhu by Nam Hwa Opera

With its humble beginnings as an amateur music and drama association by a group of Teochew opera enthusiasts, Nam Hwa Opera has braved the test of time to reach its 55th anniversary this year! Having given over 130 public performances, the opera troupe continues to enrich local arts and culture by keeping this art form well and alive even today. This June, the troupe will … Continue reading Preview: 《告亲夫》Prosecuting the Husband and《刘明珠》Lady Liu Ming Zhu by Nam Hwa Opera

Review: Leonard Bernstein’s Mass by Orchestra of the Music Makers

The Esplanade Concert Hall becomes a joyous megachurch for one night only. The Orchestra of the Music Makers takes its name from Arthur O’Shaughnessy’s poem Ode, inspired to remain movers and shakers as they dream, cultivate and create music each year. Celebrating both Bernstein’s centennial as well as the Orchestra of Music Makers’ 10th anniversary, last Saturday saw the Singapore premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s musical epic Mass. Combining multiple genres of music … Continue reading Review: Leonard Bernstein’s Mass by Orchestra of the Music Makers

Taking Back Chinatown: An Interview with Koh Hui Ling and Jean Tay of Drama Box’s Chinatown Crossings

We’re at Drama Box’s home on Trengganu Street in Chinatown, interviewing Drama Box artistic director Koh Hui Ling and writer Jean Tay, when Hui Ling suddenly recalls: “We were talking to the uncles and aunties living in the area, and a common thing we heard from them was how so many of them said ‘Chinatown doesn’t belong to us anymore; it belongs to the tourists.’” … Continue reading Taking Back Chinatown: An Interview with Koh Hui Ling and Jean Tay of Drama Box’s Chinatown Crossings

Review: Urashima Taro by Rouge28 Theatre (Flipside 2018)

A surreal, horror take on a classic Japanese legend. Growing up listening to various folktales and legends from around the world, the Japanese legend of Urashima Taro has never struck me as particularly haunting or horrific. In the legend, the eponymous Urashima Taro is a poor fisherman who saves a turtle in trouble. As a reward for his heroic deed, the turtle invites him for a journey … Continue reading Review: Urashima Taro by Rouge28 Theatre (Flipside 2018)

Review: The Moon Is Less Bright by The Second Breakfast Company

An ominous moon hangs over 2BCo’s third production. First staged over 50 years ago, Goh Poh Seng’s The Moon Is Less Bright is a classic of the Singapore literary canon. Set in a small farmhouse on the outskirts of Singapore, worlds collide when a shopkeeper brother who lives in town has to stay with his farmer brother in the country to escape from the danger caused by invading … Continue reading Review: The Moon Is Less Bright by The Second Breakfast Company

Dinosaurs On The Loose at RWS’ Jurassic World: Explore & Roar!

Tying in with the release of Universal Studios’ new Jurassic World film in June, Universal Studios Singapore has launched the all new Jurassic World: Explore and Roar experience to celebrate the June Holidays in true jurassic style. Taking place from now till 22nd August, Jurassic World: Explore & Roar sees some of your favourite dinosaurs come to life as they spring up all around the theme park. Get close … Continue reading Dinosaurs On The Loose at RWS’ Jurassic World: Explore & Roar!

Bernstein’s Mass: An Interview with Conductor Joshua Kangming Tan and Director Edith Podesta

As the Orchestra of the Music Makers commemorates their 10th anniversary in 2018, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a massive performance uniting some of the most diverse genres of music with composer Leonard Bernstein’s Mass. Best known for composing West Side Story, Bernstein’s Mass brings together Broadway, jazz, Western art music, epic chorus, orchestral works and more in this ambitious undertaking, and in its Singaporean premiere, … Continue reading Bernstein’s Mass: An Interview with Conductor Joshua Kangming Tan and Director Edith Podesta

[Editor’s Pick] Highlights of Storyfest 2018 – #BeLegendary

The second edition of the Storytelling Centre’s Storyfest returns this weekend, with 17 programmes, 21 storytellers and countless stories to be told at the Arts House. Storytelling is no easy business, and as an ancient oral tradition, it gives power to the spoken word and draws strength from the human voice, something we clearly experienced as we watched Storyfest creative producer Kamini Ramachandran herself perform … Continue reading [Editor’s Pick] Highlights of Storyfest 2018 – #BeLegendary

The Finger Players 2018: An Interview with Framed, By Adolf Director/Playwright Chong Tze Chien and Cast Member Joshua Lim

This June, The Finger Players return with a brand new season of theatrical productions to be staged at the Victoria Theatre. Each playing for a single weekend over two weeks, witness the return of their new shows with Citizen Dog and Framed, by Adolf, helmed by Finger Players resident director Oliver Chong and company director Chong Tze Chien respectively. In the second of a two part series, we … Continue reading The Finger Players 2018: An Interview with Framed, By Adolf Director/Playwright Chong Tze Chien and Cast Member Joshua Lim