★★★★★ Theatre Review: Randai Macbeth by ASWARA

Shakespeare meets the Nusantara in a bold, visceral Macbeth reborn through randai. It’s no small feat to make a 400-year-old play feel fresh, but Randai Macbeth achieves exactly that, and then some. Presented by Malaysia’s ASWARA and directed by Dr Norzizi Zulkifli, this bold adaptation reimagines Macbeth through the cultural lens of the Nusantara, transforming Shakespeare’s tale of ambition and moral decay into something visceral, … Continue reading ★★★★★ Theatre Review: Randai Macbeth by ASWARA

★★★★★ Theatre Review: PUNO – Sewing Memories by Papermoon Puppet Theatre

A universally affecting, timeless tale of love and loss by masters of the puppetry form. PUNO: Sewing Memories is, in many ways, a ghost story. Or perhaps more precisely, it is the story of a ghost, though not in the way we might expect. From the very outset of the show, which played as part of the Esplanade’s 2026 Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of … Continue reading ★★★★★ Theatre Review: PUNO – Sewing Memories by Papermoon Puppet Theatre

★★★★★ Theatre Review: Handle with Care by Ontroerend Goed (HKAF 2026)

A tiny theatrical miracle is experienced as you forge memories with complete strangers under an hour. HONG KONG – Belgian avant-garde theatre company Ontroerend Goed has long built a reputation for dismantling what theatre is supposed to be. With Handle with Care, they take that idea to its most radical extreme: there are no actors, no technicians, just a box, a stage, and an audience. … Continue reading ★★★★★ Theatre Review: Handle with Care by Ontroerend Goed (HKAF 2026)

Preview: A Tapestry of Sacred Music 2026 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, A Tapestry of Sacred Music returns for its 17th edition from 30 April to 3 May 2026, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience the rich diversity of sacred musical traditions from Singapore and around the world. Once again, the festivals offers up an immersive journey across spiritual landscapes spanning mosques, temples, village grounds, and cathedrals, where … Continue reading Preview: A Tapestry of Sacred Music 2026 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Music Review: Shostakovich with Leonidas Kavakos & Hannu Lintu by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Under Hannu Lintu, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra delivers a gripping, emotionally-charged Shostakovich marathon alongside violinist Leonidas Kavakos. There was something revealing in a remark shared in conversation with Hannu Lintu beforehand, where he stated that the soloist, above all, must remain central. It is a simple philosophy, but one that shaped the entire evening. What emerged was not just a display of orchestral discipline, but … Continue reading Music Review: Shostakovich with Leonidas Kavakos & Hannu Lintu by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Concert Review: Traversing 《“樂”无界》by Ding Yi Music Company

Ding Yi opens their 2026/27 season with a bold, celebratory selection of works that shows off the chamber ensemble’s capabilities and global vision. Opening its 2026/27 season, Traversing by Ding Yi Music Company makes an ambitious artistic claim: that a Chinese chamber ensemble can be not only rooted in tradition, but also be expansive, borderless, and globally resonant. Under the direction of maestro Tsung Yeh, … Continue reading Concert Review: Traversing 《“樂”无界》by Ding Yi Music Company

Music: A new chapter for Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s 2026/27 season with Hannu Lintu as Music Director

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s 2026/27 season signals a turning point. With Finnish conductor Hannu Lintu stepping in as Quantedge Music Director, the orchestra enters what its leadership describes as a period of discovery, recalibration and ambition. For Lintu, the decision to come to Singapore was not incidental, but deeply tied to a moment of transition in his own career. These kinds of engagements depend on … Continue reading Music: A new chapter for Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s 2026/27 season with Hannu Lintu as Music Director

Pesta Raya 2026: An Interview with Dr. Norzizi Zulkifli on adapting Macbeth for Randai and traditional arts in Malaysia

When Dr Norzizi speaks about randai, she does not describe it as an artefact or a genre. She describes the art form as something breathing, precarious, but alive. “Without ASWARA,” she says plainly of the National Academy of Arts, Cultural and Heritage of Malaysia, “randai is a dying traditional art form. It exists, but it is also not there. If you come to Kuala Lumpur … Continue reading Pesta Raya 2026: An Interview with Dr. Norzizi Zulkifli on adapting Macbeth for Randai and traditional arts in Malaysia

Preview: [title of show] (2026) by Sing’theatre

This April, theatre audiences in Singapore can look forward to Sing’theatre’s production of [title of show], a witty, fast-paced, Tony-nominated musical that turns the creative process itself into the main event. Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, the show follows two writers racing against the clock to create a brand-new musical… about writing a musical. At first glance, it’s a clever meta-comedy. But beneath the sharp … Continue reading Preview: [title of show] (2026) by Sing’theatre

Preview: vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2026 returns with a feast for the senses celebrating French culture in Singapore

If you’ve ever dreamed of strolling through a Parisian market, losing yourself in a Louvre-worthy exhibition, or catching avant-garde theatre straight from Europe, and this season, you won’t need a plane ticket. From 25 April to 20 June, the annual vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2026 returns with its most expansive line-up yet, transforming Singapore into a vibrant playground of French culture, creativity and collaboration. vOilah! … Continue reading Preview: vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2026 returns with a feast for the senses celebrating French culture in Singapore