SIFA 2018: A Dream Under The Southern Bough – The Beginning by Toy Factory (Review)

原来只是一场梦。 Inspired by Tang Xian Zu’s 16th Century Kun Opera 《南柯记》, A Dream Under The Southern Bough – The Beginning marks the first part in a planned theatre trilogy that will be staged over the next few years, and the start of an incredibly ambitious project from Toy Factory. Adapting the opera for a contemporary audience, director Goh Boon Teck and script editor Zhu Xin Chen have in … Continue reading SIFA 2018: A Dream Under The Southern Bough – The Beginning by Toy Factory (Review)

SIFA 2018: A Dream Under The Southern Bough – The Beginning by Toy Factory (Preview)

Toy Factory is having a busy year, with back to back productions in the form of Sometime Moon and Masters of Comedy in May. In between though, they’ve managed to produce an all new contemporary work for SIFA 2018, in the form of the ambitious A Dream Under The Southern Bough. Directed by Toy Factory artistic director Goh Boon Teck, the play is a modern, contemporary adaptation of … Continue reading SIFA 2018: A Dream Under The Southern Bough – The Beginning by Toy Factory (Preview)

Review: Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande by the Welsh National Opera (HKAF 2018)

Debussy’s only opera seethes with delicious darkness and brilliant production value from the Welsh National Opera The Welsh National Opera first staged Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande in 2015 to rave reviews, with a particular focus on its intriguing set design and modern take on the opera. And now, with the Hong Kong Arts Festival, they’ve toured it to the far East, complete with most of the original … Continue reading Review: Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande by the Welsh National Opera (HKAF 2018)

Preview: Nam Hwa Blazes by Nam Hwa Opera

Set up over 50 years ago as an amateur music and drama association, Nam Hwa Opera has grown to become one of the leading preservers and promoters of traditional Teochew opera, creating accessible public performances and continuing to enrich the local arts and culture scene. As part of their outreach programme, they’re bringing back their quarterly performance Nam Hwa Blazes at the Aliwal Arts Centre this April, … Continue reading Preview: Nam Hwa Blazes by Nam Hwa Opera

Preview: Hong Kong Arts Festival 2018

The Hong Kong Arts Festival has returned this year with yet another fantastic lineup of the very best arts productions from all around the world. From mindboggling theatre to soul stirring music, you’ll find an eclectic mix of events that will appeal to any and every person visiting the festival. Having started on 23rd February, the festival is already well under way and is set … Continue reading Preview: Hong Kong Arts Festival 2018

Preview: Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande by the Welsh National Opera (HKAF 2018)

Established since the early 1900s, the Welsh National Opera has since grown to become the country’s national opera company, fully professional and with a ton of history to their name. At the 2018 Hong Kong Arts Festival, they’ll be heading over to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre to perform what is often considered the definitive version of Debussy’s opera Pelléas et Mélisande. Winner of … Continue reading Preview: Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande by the Welsh National Opera (HKAF 2018)

Review: OperaMIXER – The Italian Edition by OperaViva

Think opera is a little too high class for you? Never fear, OperaViva is here to change that perception with the second edition of OperaMIXER, after a sold out debut in July 2016. Held in the Blue Room at the Arts House, OperaMIXER felt like an intimate alternative to the standard theatre style opera. One felt almost like having stepped into a cosy living room, … Continue reading Review: OperaMIXER – The Italian Edition by OperaViva

Review: Southernmost – One Table Two Chairs Project Triple Bill presented by Emergency Stairs

After two weeks of devising, open rehearsals, masterclasses and workshops, Emergency Stairs’ inaugural Southernmost experimental theatre festival finally comes to a stunning conclusion with a triple bill. Consisting of three all new works directed by experimental theatre veterans Makoto Sato (Tokyo), Danny Yung (Hong Kong) and of course, Emergency Stairs Artistic Director Liu Xiaoyi (Singapore), the artists presented their final pieces to a public audience … Continue reading Review: Southernmost – One Table Two Chairs Project Triple Bill presented by Emergency Stairs

Preview: Southernmost – 1 Table 2 Chairs Project by Emergency Stairs

New experimental theatre company Emergency Stairs is ending off the year with a bang, having organized the massive, ambitious Southernmost festival, an all new experimental theatre festival that unites the best traditional and contemporary theatre artists from around the region. Southernmost: One Table Two Chairs Project takes its name from the staging convention for traditional Chinese Opera, where the stage is positioned in the South, facing the North … Continue reading Preview: Southernmost – 1 Table 2 Chairs Project by Emergency Stairs

Review: Sure on the Shining Night

When one thinks of Christmas, music and song undoubtedly come to mind, whether it’s Christmas carollers going door to door, sitting in church listening to the choir, or simply the buzz of Christmas pop as you go about your holiday shopping. The sheer variety of Christmas music through the years then, makes for perfect material for a holiday-themed recital, showcasing some of the most talented … Continue reading Review: Sure on the Shining Night