Preview: George Town Festival 2025 – Connection

GEORGE TOWN, PENANG – The annual George Town festival is back for a new edition, once again bringing George Town alive with arts and culture. Now in its 16th edition, the festival takes on the theme of ‘Connection’, as it focuses on how arts and human experiences are closely intertwined. Over 40 events make up this year’s programme lineup, ranging from theatre, music, dance, photography, … Continue reading Preview: George Town Festival 2025 – Connection

Arts of Malaysia: LaguKu 3.0 by Orang Orang Drum Theatre

KUALA LUMPUR – Drumming is loud, powerful, and relentless, often seen as a male-dominated art form, but for two women at the heart of Malaysia’s Orang Orang Drum Theatre, the rhythm of the drum is what guides their way of life. Jian Ru and Tee Vlin, two of the drummers featured in upcoming third edition of their signature LaguKu series, have each spent nearly two … Continue reading Arts of Malaysia: LaguKu 3.0 by Orang Orang Drum Theatre

Arts of Malaysia: Liver & Lung’s Shafeeq Shajahan returns to the West End with ‘The Bollywood Guide To Revenge’

LONDON – Shafeeq Shajahan, known for “Sepet The Musical” and “Melur The Musical,” makes a triumphant return to Soho Theatre this April. This event marks the second occasion that the international British-Malaysian company, Liver & Lung, brings exceptional Malaysian storytelling to a global audience. The Bollywood Guide to Revenge promises an unapologetic extravaganza, seamlessly blending the opulent allure of vintage Bollywood with the vibrant pulse of … Continue reading Arts of Malaysia: Liver & Lung’s Shafeeq Shajahan returns to the West End with ‘The Bollywood Guide To Revenge’

★★★★★ Review: Corps extrêmes by Rachid Ouramdane and Compagnie de Chaillot

The majesty of the great outdoors captured in a risk-taking theatrical presentation. The realms of sports and arts may seem worlds apart, but French choreographer Rachid Ouramdane has found a veritable link between the two, with beauty in the human spirit to triumph against all odds. Such is the nature of his work Corps extrêmes, which made its Singapore debut as part of the Esplanade’s … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Corps extrêmes by Rachid Ouramdane and Compagnie de Chaillot

★★★★☆ Review: A Reason For Falling by Hwa Wei-An

Finding meaning and momentum in persevering through the pain. No matter how many times it happens, the act of falling will always be coupled with a sense of fear, often from the knowledge that the point of impact is going to hurt. Yet when it becomes incorporated into one’s daily life, the pain that comes from each fall becomes somewhat more bearable when one becomes … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: A Reason For Falling by Hwa Wei-An

da:ns focus – Out of Site: An Interview with choreographer Hwa Wei-An on the power of falling, and what keeps him going

To make art is to live life dangerously and vulnerably, consistently putting one’s creativity and a part of one’s self up and subject it to as much criticism as awe and adoration. For Malaysian choreographer Hwa Wei-An, that danger comes very literally, and plays out prominently in his solo dance piece A Reason For Falling, which plays this December as a part of the Esplanade’s … Continue reading da:ns focus – Out of Site: An Interview with choreographer Hwa Wei-An on the power of falling, and what keeps him going

★★★☆☆ Review: One Day We’ll Understand 有那么一天​ by Sim Chi Yin

Performance-lecture on biased historiography and hidden knowledge urges us to critically reconstruct our interpretations to formulate our own version of the truth. The Malayan Emergency in the late 1940s continues to remain a traumatic memory for many Chinese Malaysians, where families would recall relatives hurriedly leaving the country, or worse – hauled away for questioning over suspected Communist relations, and never seen again, at least, … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: One Day We’ll Understand 有那么一天​ by Sim Chi Yin

Preview: George Town Festival 2024 – Here & Now

GEORGE TOWN, PENANG – Taking place over 10 days from 19th to 28th July 2024, the 15th iteration of George Town Festival (GTF) is set to take the iconic festival in a brand new direction. Organised by Kerson Media Global Sdn Bhd, GTF 2024 takes on the theme ‘Here & Now’, and invites all to embark on a journey of reflection and reimagination into George … Continue reading Preview: George Town Festival 2024 – Here & Now

Can Chinese sitizens in Singapore bet in Malaysian casinos?

For those who aren’t in the loop on the legality of gambling in China — it’s outlawed. Gambling in Mainland China has been illegal for decades at this point, and a recent announcement from the Chinese embassy in Singapore has left people puzzled. The announcement from the embassy reminded Chinese nationals to stay away from gambling activities while abroad.  Singapore is a hotspot for casinos and gambling. … Continue reading Can Chinese sitizens in Singapore bet in Malaysian casinos?

★★★★☆ Review: Sang Kancil & The Dragon King by Liver & Lung

Liver & Lung deliver energy and joy in this family friendly musical. KUALA LUMPUR – For any Malaysian, Sang Kancil is perhaps one of the most beloved characters from childhood, with the seemingly endless tales of a clever mousedeer thwarting its enemies with tricks and mischievous ways. Now, award-winning theatre company Liver & Lung are bringing the spirit of Sang Kancil story to the stage, … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Sang Kancil & The Dragon King by Liver & Lung