Preview: Singapore Improv Festival 2022

This September, the Singapore Improv Festival (SIF) returns to bring back the joy of live improvised theatre the Aliwal Arts Center. Featuring performances by over 40 Improv teams from Korea, Australia, Philippines and the US, the Singapore Improv Festival presents completely unscripted stories created with nothing but a little help from the audience and the performers’ own creativity. Due to its uniquely spontaneous and adaptive nature, … Continue reading Preview: Singapore Improv Festival 2022

★★★★★ 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

Museum Musings: Dislocations – Memory and Meaning of the Fall of Singapore, 1942 at National Museum Singapore

Although the vividness of wartime experience is best captured through the personal accounts of those who experienced it first-hand, the passing down of the memories and stories of World War Two for generations, continue to leave a lasting impression until today. With 2022 marking the 80th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, the National Museum of Singapore will be launching a new exhibition, Dislocations: Memory … Continue reading Museum Musings: Dislocations – Memory and Meaning of the Fall of Singapore, 1942 at National Museum Singapore

Film Fanatic: Watch new Korean musical ‘Jack the Ripper’ at Golden Village

K-pop fans rejoice this December as Jack the Ripper, the highly anticipated Korean Musical returns with new casts streamed live directly from Seoul. On the big screen of the movie theatre, you can now watch a live musical! For four days only, Golden Village has secured the exclusive rights to the much-anticipated musical on big screen – 5, 7, 9 and 10 December. Premiered in … Continue reading Film Fanatic: Watch new Korean musical ‘Jack the Ripper’ at Golden Village

Museum Musings: PSM50 – Celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Singapore’s Preservation Journey (PSM50) at National Museum Singapore

In commemoration of 50 years of preserving historic buildings, sites and structures in Singapore, a special exhibition titled PSM50: Celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Singapore’s Preservation Journey (PSM50) opens from 13 November 2021 to 2 January 2022 at the National Museum of Singapore.  Singapore’s preservation journey began in 1971 when the Preservation of Monuments Act came into force, which led to the formation of the … Continue reading Museum Musings: PSM50 – Celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Singapore’s Preservation Journey (PSM50) at National Museum Singapore

★★★★☆ Book Review: And The Award Goes To Sally Bong! by Sebastian Sim

It’s ok to be ordinary in success-driven Singapore. When I read Sebastian Sim’s The Riot Act and Let’s Give It Up For Gimme Lao!, there was no denying that the Epigram Fiction Prize-winning author was deserving of his accolades, having penned two novels that encapsulated the Singaporean experience with wry, laugh out loud humour that touched on all the right political notes, and made light … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Book Review: And The Award Goes To Sally Bong! by Sebastian Sim

Museum Musings: Two-thirds of eligible national monuments to receive funding in 2020 and 2021

Walk along Beach Road in the historic Kampong Gelam district, and Hajjah Fatimah Mosque would likely catch your eye with its iconic tower that resembles the Neoclassical steeple of the first Saint Andrew’s Church. Did you know that the mosque is nicknamed the ‘Leaning Tower of Singapore’, thanks to the slight tilt of its minaret tower, and is one of few mosques named after a … Continue reading Museum Musings: Two-thirds of eligible national monuments to receive funding in 2020 and 2021