Preview: Bulan Madu – A Double Bill by Teater Ekamatra

Teater Ekamatra celebrates their 30th anniversary this year, and the number of productions they’re putting up just doesn’t seem to stop. This October, as part of Malay CultureFest 2018, they’ll be putting up a double bill of two of playwright Alfian Sa’at’s Malay plays, both of which have received rave reviews when they played across Singapore and Malaysia. Taking a word from the titles of … Continue reading Preview: Bulan Madu – A Double Bill by Teater Ekamatra

Centre 42’s The Vault: Sau(dara) by Bhumi Collective

In 1985, Malaysian playwright Leow Puay Tin wrote the phenomenal 3 Children. Three years later, the production was jointly put to stage by Krishen Jit and Ong Keng Sen, after an earlier production at Kuala Lumpur’s Five Arts Centre, and represented one of the first major cross-Causeway productions in the English language, with a four member cast that starred Lim Kay Tong, Lok Meng Chue, … Continue reading Centre 42’s The Vault: Sau(dara) by Bhumi Collective

Review: Tiger of Malaya by Teater Ekamatra

Interrogating history through a filmic lens. There’s a saying that history is written by the victors, leaving plenty of warped accounts and representations scattered throughout media. Singapore, of course, isn’t exempt from this, with films by foreigners throughout history appropriating both the country and its people to better bring out their own agenda. Given the benefit of hindsight then, if we were to have a chance … Continue reading Review: Tiger of Malaya by Teater Ekamatra

Re-appropriating Film History: An Interview with The Cast and Creatives of Teater Ekamatra’s Tiger of Malaya

This week will see the premiere of Teater Ekamatra’s latest production – Tiger of Malaya. A brand new play written by Alfian Sa’at and Shawn Chua, Tiger of Malaya takes inspiration from the 1943 Japanese film ‘The Tiger of Malaya’, following a group of actors in the present day who attempt to be more accurate in their re-enaction of the film, comically ‘correcting’ history with their portrayal. We … Continue reading Re-appropriating Film History: An Interview with The Cast and Creatives of Teater Ekamatra’s Tiger of Malaya

Preview: Tiger of Malaya by Teater Ekamatra

After a mad July spent taking charge of the 2018 Singapore Theatre Festival as festival co- artistic director, playwright Alfian Sa’at returns to the Singapore theatre scene proper with a brand new play this September. Presented by Teater Ekamatra as part of their 30th Anniversary season, Tiger of Malaya takes inspiration from the 1943 Japanese film ‘The Tiger of Malaya’. Based off the life of Tani Yutaka, … Continue reading Preview: Tiger of Malaya by Teater Ekamatra

Pesta Raya 2018: Tarakucha! by Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana (Review)

The Esplanade’s annual Pesta Raya festivities are always a joy to attend and witness. With a whole host of well-curated activities celebrating Malay culture, this year’s festival even feels like a massive party, as fireworks went off nearby at the National Day preview, and a mini pasar malam was in full swing at the Esplanade itself. As part of Pesta Raya 2018, Malaysian singer Sean … Continue reading Pesta Raya 2018: Tarakucha! by Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana (Review)

Pesta Raya 2018: Alkesah (Review)

A colourful romp of unbridled fun through Malay folklore opens Pesta Raya 2018. The Malay oral tradition is a rich one, full of colourful characters and unforgettable stories. But as these tales become increasingly hard to hear in the traditional form, so must they evolve with the times to find a new audience. That evolution can be seen in the 2018 Pesta Raya – Malay … Continue reading Pesta Raya 2018: Alkesah (Review)

Pesta Raya 2018: TARAKUCHA! by Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana (Preview)

Created by and starring Malaysian singer and actor Sean Ghazi, TARAKUCHA! is described as “the Terrer-Menerrer Big Band with a Malaysian twist”, and essentially continues Sean Ghazi’s fascination with the Malaysian songbook, after the release of his AIM award-winning album ‘Semalam’. In TARAKUCHA!, expect a night of music from Malaysia’s greatest composers and songwriters, ranging from P. Ramlee to Sudirman to Jimmy Boyle. But know that these won’t be straight covers … Continue reading Pesta Raya 2018: TARAKUCHA! by Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana (Preview)

Pesta Raya 2018: An Interview with Zulfadli ‘Big’ Rashid (Alkesah)

Just as one’s ears prick up for a story the moment one hears the magical words ‘once upon a time’, storytellers of Malay folklore begin their tales with an equally powerful opener – ‘alkesah’, or ‘as the story goes’. And celebrating that long history of oral tradition then, is the aptly titled Esplanade commissioned musical Alkesah, opening the Esplanade’s 2018 Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of the … Continue reading Pesta Raya 2018: An Interview with Zulfadli ‘Big’ Rashid (Alkesah)

Preview: Komedi Raya – An Interview with Mo Sidik

This Hari Raya, get ready as we welcome the first ever Malay standup comedy show in Singapore! Presented by DMR Productions, Indonesian comedian Mo Sidik and Kuala Lumpur based JD Raja Lawak will be in town this June to tickle your funny bone and bring laughter during this celebratory season. The larger than life Mo Sidik is one of Indonesia’s foremost comedians, being the first … Continue reading Preview: Komedi Raya – An Interview with Mo Sidik