★★★★★ Theatre Review: The Cherry Orchard (벚꽃동산) by Simon Stone and LG Arts Center (South Korea)

Chekhov’s final play gets adapted in the form of a modern K-drama, anchored by a stellar cast led by the impeccable Doyeon Jeon. In Simon Stone’s The Cherry Orchard, Chekhov’s final play finds a new home and new angles to its heartbreak, as it navigates the quiet violence of time and the cruelty of progress against he sleek, ever-changing skyline of modern Korea. In Stone’s … Continue reading ★★★★★ Theatre Review: The Cherry Orchard (벚꽃동산) by Simon Stone and LG Arts Center (South Korea)

★★★★★ Theatre Review: Twelve Angry Men《十二怒汉》by Nine Years Theatre

Biases unravel and tempers flare in Nine Years Theatre’s powerful revival of this classic courtroom drama. There is something unsettling about the image that accompanied the publicity for Twelve Angry Men: twelve faces, marked by a single red stroke. Is it erasure, censorship, or judgment? The ambiguity lingers as the lights dim, an apt prelude to Nine Years Theatre’s searing revival of Reginald Rose’s courtroom … Continue reading ★★★★★ Theatre Review: Twelve Angry Men《十二怒汉》by Nine Years Theatre

Twelve Angry Men, 12 years later: An Interview with Nelson Chia on restaging Nine Years Theatre’s iconic play

A verdict that decides life or death. A clash of prejudice and justice. An intense midnight quarrel leads to the murder of a man. Witnesses take the stand as his 16-year-old son is tried for homicide. With all testimonies against the boy, his fate hangs by a thread as 12 jurors must render the final verdict. In the stifling heat of the jury room, 12 … Continue reading Twelve Angry Men, 12 years later: An Interview with Nelson Chia on restaging Nine Years Theatre’s iconic play

An Interview with director Simon Stone on finding the soul of Seoul in Korean adaptation of Chekhov’s ‘The Cherry Orchard’ (벚꽃동산)

“Chekhov was never really writing about Russia; he was writing about us,” says acclaimed director Simon Stone, his voice brimming with intent. “It was always about what happens when the world moves on, and how we’re not ready.” It’s a sentiment that lingers, this idea that Chekhov’s melancholic comedies of inaction, his portraits of ordinary people caught between eras, might still hold the mirror up … Continue reading An Interview with director Simon Stone on finding the soul of Seoul in Korean adaptation of Chekhov’s ‘The Cherry Orchard’ (벚꽃동산)

★★★★☆ Theatre Review: Phinny & Wally – Echoes of Home by Nine Years Theatre

Nine Years Theatre’s follow-up to last year’s theatre for young audience debut is just as fun, bringing in new friends and issues for both kids and parents to dip into. In theatre, sequels are rare, as audiences often fear being “left behind” if they missed the first instalment, or worry that the magic can’t be sustained across iterations. Fortunately, Nine Years Theatre’s (NYT) brand new … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Theatre Review: Phinny & Wally – Echoes of Home by Nine Years Theatre

More Whale: An Interview with Nine Years Theatre, playwright Cherilyn Woo and director Deonn Yang on crafting the Phinny & Wally sequel

Following the heartwarming success of their debut children’s production Phinny & Wally in 2024, Nine Years Theatre (NYT) is diving deeper into the world of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) with Phinny & Wally: Echoes Of Home, a brand new, standalone sequel running from 22 to 31 August 2025 at the Drama Centre Black Box. Aimed at children aged 5 to 8 and performed in … Continue reading More Whale: An Interview with Nine Years Theatre, playwright Cherilyn Woo and director Deonn Yang on crafting the Phinny & Wally sequel

Four blockbuster theatre performances from Singapore and the world arrive at the Esplanade this October and November

Arts lovers are in for a treat, as Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is set to present some of the most exciting, thought-provoking contemporary theatre performances in Singapore this October and November. Look out for the return of Teater Ekamatra’s Yusof: Portrait of a President, Taiwanese theatre company Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Cultural Group’s Final Bow, a Korean adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The … Continue reading Four blockbuster theatre performances from Singapore and the world arrive at the Esplanade this October and November

★★★★★ Review: Waiting For Audience by Nine Years Theatre

Metatheatrical musing on artmaking is a hit, thanks to emotive, powerful performances and staging by Nelson Chia and Mia Chee. There’s good reason why so many parents in Singapore dissuade their children from pursuing a career in the arts; as much as it’s an industry that brings entertainment, joy and provokes thoughts in the countless audiences who witness it, it’s also a notoriously unstable scene, … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Waiting For Audience by Nine Years Theatre

SIFA 2025: An Interview with Nine Years Theatre’s Nelson Chia and Mia Chee on ‘Waiting For Audience’

In Singapore’s fast-moving theatre scene, where product is often prioritised over process, rarely do shows get a chance to receive test audiences and the luxury of being workshopped before making it to the stage. But for Nine Years Theatre (NYT), the 2024 Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) offered them a unique opportunity in the form of Tomorrow and Tomorrow, a showcase of works-in-progress given … Continue reading SIFA 2025: An Interview with Nine Years Theatre’s Nelson Chia and Mia Chee on ‘Waiting For Audience’

★★★★☆ Review: Home Kitchen 家囝成厨 by Nine Years Theatre

Serving up family feuds, tantalising drama and the ever-present question of legacy and the future in Nine Years Theatre’s homage to Singaporean food culture. In Home Kitchen, Nine Years Theatre (NYT) serves up a lovingly prepared, emotionally resonant, and at times unexpectedly layered dish that speaks directly to the heart of any Singaporean. Commissioned by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) as part of their … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Home Kitchen 家囝成厨 by Nine Years Theatre