Book Review: Beauty Queens of Bishan by Akshita Nanda

A celebration of womanhood and femininity in all their facets, set against the ever-intriguing world of pageants. Love it or loathe it, everyone wants to feel pretty. And in this age of reality TV, celebrity worship and social media obsession, it’s becoming increasingly harder to match up to society’s standards of beauty, what with the bar being continually raised. The business of beauty is booming, … Continue reading Book Review: Beauty Queens of Bishan by Akshita Nanda

In London’s West End 2019: The Lehman Trilogy by National Theatre (Review)

The American Dream as seen through the rise and fall of a 160-year dynasty. LONDON – When top global financial services firm Lehman Brothers collapsed and went bankrupt in 2008, the world economy plunged into a recession, one that it continues to struggle with even today. But who exactly were the Lehman Brothers, and how did an empire as magnificent as this collapse so quickly in … Continue reading In London’s West End 2019: The Lehman Trilogy by National Theatre (Review)

In London’s West End 2019: Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre (Review)

Sugar, butter, catchy songs and a winsome lead marks a recipe for a musical deserving of a blue ribbon. LONDON – It’s frankly quite impressive how even the most independent of films have become hit Broadway musicals, elevating the original source material to new heights thanks to the musical form. With Waitress, a new West End transfer adapted from the 2007 film of the same name, the … Continue reading In London’s West End 2019: Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre (Review)

In London’s (Off) West End 2019: The Grid by Lollipop (Review)

Crafty sci-fi themed escape room and innovative cocktails make this experience one to remember. LONDON – With the advent of increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI), will robots one day rule the world? The answer to that may just be dependent on how well you fare at Lollipop’s sci-fi multi-chamber escape room The Grid.  Set at the offices of Neosight, The Grid tasks players with an all-important mission – … Continue reading In London’s (Off) West End 2019: The Grid by Lollipop (Review)

Singapore International Festival of Arts 2020 Releases First Wave of Tickets, Confirms Local Commissions and Crystal Pite’s Revisor

Come its 43rd year in 2020, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) returns with a slew of new works from both local and international artists in the month of May. The festival has released the first wave of tickets for five productions that will be making their debut next year, with local theatre companies Nine Years Theatre, The Finger Players and The Necessary Stage, … Continue reading Singapore International Festival of Arts 2020 Releases First Wave of Tickets, Confirms Local Commissions and Crystal Pite’s Revisor

Review: Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment, Presented by Singapore Repertory Theatre

★★★★☆ (Performance attended 28/11/19) Reimagined version of Sondheim’s macabre musical thriller a refreshing take on an oft-forgotten classic, with Broadway star Lea Salonga a highlight.   In the Victorian era, penny dreadfuls were some of the more popular forms of entertainment, a serialised form of literature that derives its name from how every issue would cost just one penny. As for the ‘dreadful’ portion, well, that … Continue reading Review: Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment, Presented by Singapore Repertory Theatre

SGIFF 2019: The Truth (La vérité) dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda (Review)

Palme d’Or winner Kore-eda’s non-Japanese debut is a subtly moving portrait of complex familial relationships while celebrating the film industry and legacies left behind.  While The Truth marks the first non-Japanese film Hirokazu Kore-eda had directed, it remains a project that has his name stamped all over it. Known for his mastery over subtle, understated family dramas, The Truth follows prima donna actress Fabienne (French film icon Catherine … Continue reading SGIFF 2019: The Truth (La vérité) dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda (Review)

SGIFF 2019: Revolution Launderette dir. Mark Chua and Lam Li Shuen (Review)

More experimental shenanigans from the team behind Cannonball sees them contemplating big, philosophical questions of fate, reality and the meaning of life.  For all their talk about their new film having a stronger narrative than their last, Mark Chua and Lam Li Shuen’s Revolution Launderette still follows very much in the same vein as their debut feature Cannonball, with plenty of experimental, indie filmmaking techniques and stylistics rarely seen on … Continue reading SGIFF 2019: Revolution Launderette dir. Mark Chua and Lam Li Shuen (Review)

Food For Thought: Ring in the festive season with indulgent offerings from Rang Mahal and Table Restaurant & Bar

As the season of revelry fast approaches, it’s time to celebrate with feasts with family and friends once again. To help, Rang Mahal Restaurants, comprising Rang Mahal and Table Restaurant & Bar, present a variety of dine-in and takeaway options to complete any celebration. Boasting its signature tandoor-roasted turkey that comes marinated with a fragrant blend of twenty-six spices including cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, mace and … Continue reading Food For Thought: Ring in the festive season with indulgent offerings from Rang Mahal and Table Restaurant & Bar

Review: Rumah Dayak by Rupa co.lab

★★★★☆ (Performance attended 23/11/19, Matinee) Nessa Anwar’s sophomore full length play proves her mastery over capturing natural conversation and social realism. Presented by new theatre collective Rupa co.lab in their theatrical debut, Rumah Dayak follows a night-hour safehouse for troubled youths in the Malay community. Ironically however, the safehouse itself is facing imminent danger, as they face mounting pressures from the authorities, rising costs of operations, and … Continue reading Review: Rumah Dayak by Rupa co.lab