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: The Future Show by Chong Tze Chien and Jo Tan

Making sense of the uncertain future, one moment at a time. Life often moves at breakneck speed, so fast that we hardly have time to reflect on all we’ve been through. To take a moment to pause and consider the sum total of our experiences then, is a luxury we must afford, if we are to actively, consciously build a better future for ourselves. That … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: The Future Show by Chong Tze Chien and Jo Tan

Review: I Swallowed A Moon Made of Iron by Njo Kong Kie (Presented by Creative Links and Music Picnic, in association with Point View Art)

Poetic, melancholic lament on the crushing reality of invisible factory workers. Life is hard. But some lives are harder than others. Take for instance life as an industrial factory worker, manufacturing electronic parts. Early starts and late ends for pittance, floor managers who constantly remind you of your replaceability, and the sheer monotony and exhaustion of the labour, it’s enough to drive anyone to death. … Continue reading Review: I Swallowed A Moon Made of Iron by Njo Kong Kie (Presented by Creative Links and Music Picnic, in association with Point View Art)

NUS Arts Festival 2023: An Interview with director Chong Tze Chien and performer Jo Tan of ‘The Future Show’

Predicting the future is all but impossible, but that’s never stopped all of humanity from speculating the infinite possibilities tomorrow might hold. It stands to reason then, that it makes for a rather exciting, experimental type of show, one that Canadian performance artist Deborah Pearson has crafted with her work The Future Show. Adapted by director Chong Tze Chien and writer/performer Jo Tan, The Future … Continue reading NUS Arts Festival 2023: An Interview with director Chong Tze Chien and performer Jo Tan of ‘The Future Show’

Preview: NUS Arts Festival 2023 – Spaces Between

Taking place between 10 and 26 March, the NUS Arts Festival is back for a new edition. Titled Spaces Between, this year’s festival examines the idea of liminal spaces – the uncomfortable yet exciting unknown that we encounter as we transition between phases and states. While liminal spaces can bring discomfort and ambiguity, they also present opportunities for growth and change. In a world of diverse and divided views, the NUS Arts Festival seeks to … Continue reading Preview: NUS Arts Festival 2023 – Spaces Between

Review: Bruch Violin Concerto and Mahler 5 by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Dubbed a violin prodigy in Singapore, Singapore Symphony Orchestra Artist-In-Residence Chloe Chua performed Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the orchestra this March. Known for his impassioned melodies and searing energy, Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 has been described as the composer’s “richest and the most seductive”, this particular concerto requires great control and pacing, both of which came through in the performance. Chloe … Continue reading Review: Bruch Violin Concerto and Mahler 5 by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Preview: Singapore International Festival of Arts 2023, The Anatomy of Performance – Some People

Following a successful 2022 edition of the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), the annual international arts festival returns from 19th May to 4th June 2023, where a plethora of art takes over the city for three weekends. This year’s title is The Anatomy of Performance – Some People, and marks the second year of Natalie Hennedige’s three-year tenure as Festival Director. Across Hennedige’s tenure, … Continue reading Preview: Singapore International Festival of Arts 2023, The Anatomy of Performance – Some People