★★★★★ Review: The Death of Singapore Theatre as Scripted By the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore by Alfian Sa’at

Confronting the toxic relationship between state and artist. In the past, Alfian Sa’at was known as Singapore’s enfant terrible, one of only a few who dared to bring up hard truths and criticism of society, often directed at the authorities. But as time went by, with the proliferation of social media giving almost everyone a voice, and years of raging against the machine, Alfian’s work … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: The Death of Singapore Theatre as Scripted By the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore by Alfian Sa’at

Review: Declutter Me! by Grace Kalaiselvi

Letting go and moving on, one object at a time. According to Japanese decluttering consultant Marie Kondo, the key question one must first ask before deciding to keep or toss a physical object is “Does it spark joy?” But often, that is a query that leads to even further doubts – how do we know if it sparks joy or not? That is the question … Continue reading Review: Declutter Me! by Grace Kalaiselvi

★★★★★ Review: Dim Sum Dollies – Still Steam by Dream Academy

No holds barred production in an all-out performance from these Singapore icons. Ever since they first performed at the Esplanade in 2002, Dream Academy’s Dim Sum Dollies have established themselves as three of Singapore’s most recognizable icons in the local theatre scene. Not only have they dazzled countless audience members over the years with big sets and glitzy costumes, but also daring to address pertinent … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Dim Sum Dollies – Still Steam by Dream Academy

uproot | rootless: An Interview with The Substation Artistic Director Ezzam Rahman, and artists of SeptFest 2022

There was a time when arts venue The Substation had a massive Malayan Banyan Tree growing along the walls of Timbre. Considered an iconic part of The Substation, the tree had been there even before the founding of the venue in 1990, and became the site for countless events, gigs and performances, representing the ongoing connection between art and nature. But come 2015, the Banyan … Continue reading uproot | rootless: An Interview with The Substation Artistic Director Ezzam Rahman, and artists of SeptFest 2022

Full Steam Ahead: An Interview with Dim Sum Dollies Pam Oei and Jo Tan, and Music Director Elaine Chan

With the short run most productions have and few restagings, the longevity of any theatre show or concept in Singapore is never guaranteed. Which is why for local company Dream Academy, the continued success of their signature characters and IPs is a net positive all around. Amidst these, cabaret trio the Dim Sum Dollies remain a perennial favourite, having first making their claim to fame … Continue reading Full Steam Ahead: An Interview with Dim Sum Dollies Pam Oei and Jo Tan, and Music Director Elaine Chan

Preview: Dim Sum Dollies – Still Steam by Dream Academy

This August, Singapore’s favourite comedy and cabaret trio are back to celebrate 20 years of Dim Sum Dollies. Comprising Selena Tan (Crazy Rich Asians, Shotgun Wedding, Chang & Eng), Pam Oei (Faghag, Tartuffe, Hotel) and Jo Tan (Tiong Bahru Social Club, King, Tartuffe), the three leading ladies will once again take to the Capitol Theatre stage, and charge full steam ahead with a brand new show, Still Steam. Slated to … Continue reading Preview: Dim Sum Dollies – Still Steam by Dream Academy

Review: Kotor by -wright Assembly

The concept of he for she gets a visceral, movement-based portrayal by -wright Assembly. In a decidedly deviant conceptualisation from the usual plethora of female-led work this International Women’s Day, -wright Assembly breaks the mould to present a new interdisciplinary, movement-based performance choreographed by Ismail Jemaah, primarily featuring male performers, as it explores the concept of male responsibility in the ongoing fight for gender equality. … Continue reading Review: Kotor by -wright Assembly

Preview: Kotor by -wright Assembly

“What you allow is what will continue.” This March, coinciding with International Women’s Day, artist collective -wright Assembly have gathered both male and female artists specialising in multiple art disciplines to create Kotor, a multidisciplinary performance responding to writer Natalie Wang’s anthology The Woman Who Turned Into a Vending Machine. The project originated when Creative Producer Farhanah Diyanah (FD) spoke to choreographer Ismail Jemaah, developing a new … Continue reading Preview: Kotor by -wright Assembly

Review: Charlie by Bhumi Collective

A brief encounter with a true innocent. In the wake of politically-charged, tumultuous events such as the rise of Brexit and POTUS Trump, the world as we know it has changed irrevocably, a much more terrifying place to wake up in each morning. How does one stand to live everyday like this? In Bhumi Collective’s Charlie, actress Victoria Chen has imagined a hypothetical situation in which a … Continue reading Review: Charlie by Bhumi Collective

Preview: Charlie by Bhumi Collective

After not one but two successful runs overseas at the On the Rocks Festival and Edinburgh Student Arts Festival (winning the Best Performing Artist Award) in 2017, Bhumi Collective will finally present the Singapore premiere of Charlie, a unique, experimental performance by Victoria Chen. Charlie is unusual in that it takes the form of a 15-minute one-on-one experience in which the audience member enters a room and interacts with the titular … Continue reading Preview: Charlie by Bhumi Collective