SIFA 2023: An Interview with dancer Muna Tseng, creator of ‘Me, You, Then, Now’

Hong Kong-born, New York-based dance artist Muna Tseng has made a name for herself over the years, developing a four decade-long illustrious career working at the fluid intersections of contemporary dance, visual design, new music and avant-garde theatre. In her work Me, You, Then, Now, which plays for one night only at the 2023 Singapore International Festival of Arts, audience members are invited to join … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with dancer Muna Tseng, creator of ‘Me, You, Then, Now’

SIFA 2023: An Interview with Andrea Salustri, creator of ‘MATERIA’

The star of Andrea Salustri’s show MATERIA is not a person, but a material – polystyrene, one of the most common forms of plastic. Under Salustri’s manipulation, he allows it to come alive, and questions how we engage with objects, and to consider the life behind the ordinary. MATERIA also explores the balance between being a facilitator and being a performer, as the focus gradually shifts … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with Andrea Salustri, creator of ‘MATERIA’

SIFA 2023: An Interview with Festival Director Natalie Hennedige

In 2022, Natalie Hennedige went from artistic director of Cake Theatre, to Festival Director of the annual Singapore International Festival of Arts. Together with her team, the veteran theatremaker programmed a slew of works in her debut year, and established her own spin on the festival by theming each edition around ‘The Anatomy of Performance’, specifically zooming in on the concept of rituals last year. … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with Festival Director Natalie Hennedige

SIFA 2023: An Interview with Hyerim Jang, choreographer behind ‘Abyss’

The concept of ‘han’ in Korea refers to a feeling of multiple layers of sorrow and sadness that represents the suffering of Korean lives from wars and colonialism. These days, it still persists, even if more removed from its historical context, and continues to plague even the modern Korean person with its sadness. Artistic director of 99 Art Company Hyerim Jang seeks to address that … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with Hyerim Jang, choreographer behind ‘Abyss’

SIFA 2023: An Interview with Brian Gothong Tan and Huang Ruo, co-creators of ‘Angel Island’

With its continued mention across history books, film and other media, most people would be familiar with New York’s Ellis Island, a symbol of the American Dream that welcomed European migrants to America searching for a new hopeful life, along with its proximity to the Statue of Liberty. But few know about Ellis Island’s counterpart – Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay, which instead … Continue reading SIFA 2023: An Interview with Brian Gothong Tan and Huang Ruo, co-creators of ‘Angel Island’

★★★☆☆ Review: The Butterfly Lovers by Wild Rice and Victorian Opera

The classic Chinese tragedy of love that never quite takes flight. Category Score (out of 10) Direction (Ivan Heng) 6 Libretto (Joel Tan) 6 Composition (Richard Mills) 6 Performance (Cathy-Di Zhang, Austin Haynes, Haotian Qi, Michael Dimovski, Adrian Poon, Zachary Dominguez, Cindy Honanta, Zoe Hong Yee Huay, Alice Cahya Putri, David Tao Chen Ming, Jonathan Charles Tay, Teng Xiang Ting) 7 Live Music (Conducted by … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: The Butterfly Lovers by Wild Rice and Victorian Opera

Review: Sherlock Sam – The Musical by Dream Academy

The power of science, logical deduction, and friendship drive this musical adaptation of the popular book series. Could Singapore be a hotbed of mysteries? For children’s book writers A.J. Low (Adan Jimenez and Felicia Low-Jimenez) behind the beloved Sherlock Sam series, there’s always a mystery at every corner of the island, from Katong to even Pulau Ubin, ready for spunky kid detective Sherlock Sam and … Continue reading Review: Sherlock Sam – The Musical by Dream Academy

★★★★★ Review: Shakespeare In The Park 2023 -A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Singapore Repertory Theatre

SRT makes magic happen under the moonlight with visually stunning production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Category Score (out of 10) Direction (Guy Unsworth) 9 Composer (Mervin Wong) 9 Performance (Ghafir Akbar, Julie Wee, Daniel Jenkins, Natalie Yeap, Timothy Wan, Vanessa Kee, Nicholas Chan, Isabella Chiam, Crenshaw Yeo, Vester Ng, Dennis Sofian, Rino Junior John, Krish Natarajan) 9 Production Design (Richard Kent) 10 Lighting Design … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Shakespeare In The Park 2023 -A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Singapore Repertory Theatre

University of the Arts Singapore unveils its logo at the inaugural UAS Arts Symposium

The long-awaited University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), Singapore’s first arts university, has revealed its logo at the inaugural UAS Arts Symposium. The logo was unveiled by Minister for Education, Mr Chan Chun Sing, in the presence of over 450 arts educators and partners from government agencies, industry and cultural organisations, as they gathered to discuss the transformation of the arts as a collective mission. … Continue reading University of the Arts Singapore unveils its logo at the inaugural UAS Arts Symposium

Preview: Catfished by The Flux Media

This May, The Flux media presents Catfished, a contemporary Mandarin theatre production that explores the impact of technology on relationships in today’s digital age. Written and produced by Dennis Toh, co-produced by Mandy Tan, and directed by Yeo Lyle, Catfished follows the lives of three women who turn to social media to satisfy their yearning to be loved and find themselves trapped by the allure … Continue reading Preview: Catfished by The Flux Media