Esplanade – Theatres on The Bay celebrates twenty years…and beyond

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore’s national performing arts centre, marks the last of its teen years as it turns 19 on 12 Oct 2021. In anticipation of the centre’s 20th anniversary, Esplanade is pleased to share more about its upcoming plans and activities for 2022. Said Ms Yvonne Tham, CEO, The Esplanade Co Ltd: “Esplanade’s architecture—while resembling durians to some—was not designed with … Continue reading Esplanade – Theatres on The Bay celebrates twenty years…and beyond

bakchormeeboyOctober 19, 2021Leave a comment

Books, By The Book, Interview, literature, Singapore

By The Book: Hedwig Anuar Book Children’s Awards 2021 judges announced

Award-winning Canadian children’s book illustrator and author Sydney Smith will be one of the three judges for the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award (HABA), together with National Institute of Education (NIE) lecturer Dr Donna Lim, as well as bestselling Singapore author Adeline Foo. Dr Donna Lim will be the Chief Judge. Sydney Smith is best known for his critically-acclaimed wordless picture book Sidewalk Flowers, while … Continue reading By The Book: Hedwig Anuar Book Children’s Awards 2021 judges announced

bakchormeeboyOctober 19, 2021November 29, 2021Leave a comment

Arts, Preview, Singapore, Theatre

Wild Rice’s annual year end musical returns with ‘Momotaro and the Magnificent Peach’

In spite of the pandemic, local leading theatre company Wild Rice has pulled through and presented a robust 2021 season, presenting works from Pooja Nansi’s You Are Here, a re-run of Pam Oei’s Faghag, and their 2021 Young & Wild graduating show. Now, they’re ending off their 2021 season with the triumphant return of their annual year end musical, with the premiere of Momotaro and … Continue reading Wild Rice’s annual year end musical returns with ‘Momotaro and the Magnificent Peach’

bakchormeeboyOctober 18, 2021Leave a comment

Arts, Esplanade Theatre Studio, Nine Years Theatre, Review, Singapore

★★★★★ Review: Electrify My World by Nine Years Theatre

Triumphant work that brings a bright spark to a dark time. Narratives about intense rivalries have always been ripe with dramatic potential, gripping audience members with the ways each tries to outdo the other, and the almost electrifying tension between them. But it takes a truly gifted playwright to spin those narratives beyond a feud, to lead audiences to think about the bigger conundrums of … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Electrify My World by Nine Years Theatre

bakchormeeboyOctober 11, 20212 Comments

Arts, Film, Interview, Singapore

Film Fanatic: An Interview with Marrie Lee, star of cult action film ‘They Call Her…Cleopatra Wong’

As Singapore’s first and only female Interpol agent, it’s surprising how Cleopatra Wong isn’t more well-known on our shores. Making her debut in Bobby Suarez’s 1978 film They Call Her…Cleopatra Wong, the eponymous femme fatale made such an impact, even Quentin Tarantino (of Kill Bill fame) took inspiration from her. Spawning two more sequels in the years that followed, Cleopatra Wong is everything you could … Continue reading Film Fanatic: An Interview with Marrie Lee, star of cult action film ‘They Call Her…Cleopatra Wong’

bakchormeeboyOctober 11, 2021Leave a comment

Arts, Theatre

Preview: Both Sides, Now – Kata-Kata Kita Variety Show by Drama Box and ArtsWok Collaborative

Co-presented by Drama Box and ArtsWok Collaborative since 2013, Both Sides, Now is an arts-based community engagement project exploring what it means to live well, and leave well. While they’ve taken a bit of a longer break over the COVID-19 period, the project returns for a brand new edition this November, this time targeting the Malay community with Mengukir Harapan. Mengukir Harapan, which translates to … Continue reading Preview: Both Sides, Now – Kata-Kata Kita Variety Show by Drama Box and ArtsWok Collaborative

bakchormeeboyOctober 11, 20211 Comment

Film, Preview, Singapore

Film Fanatic: Perspectives Film Festival 2021 – “What the __?!”

Now in its 14th edition, Singapore’s biggest student-led film festival, Perspectives Film Festival, is back this October. Taking on a hybrid format, a total of nine films will be presented at this year’s festival, themed around the intriguing statement ‘What The __?!’. ‘What The __?!’ is a wonderfully universal phrase. Whether uttered in hushed tones or shouted at the top of our lungs, the phrase … Continue reading Film Fanatic: Perspectives Film Festival 2021 – “What the __?!”

bakchormeeboyOctober 11, 2021Leave a comment

Singapore

★★★☆☆ Review: No Tenors Allowed v2.0 by Lirica Arts

Vocal excellence on display, even without a tenor. Opera and vocal performances have been hit hard over the pandemic. It was a welcome return for the art form then, as we gathered at Victoria Concert Hall on a Sunday afternoon, the atmosphere buzzing as we awaited the debut of new company Lirica Arts with the cheekily-titled No Tenors Allowed. Inspired by the eponymous concert series … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: No Tenors Allowed v2.0 by Lirica Arts

bakchormeeboyOctober 7, 2021Leave a comment

Arts, Music, Singapore

Music Is: Upcoming artist RINES releases new single ‘When You Fall’

Since starting her music career this year, Singaporean artist RINES has refused to stick to a single genre. Calling herself an eclectic artist through the exploration of fusing different genres and sounds, RINES is known to draw inspiration from her experiences. With her ever-changing vocals, RINES tells compelling stories that are reflective of the many personalities she holds, and evident in her previous singles, ‘Kiss … Continue reading Music Is: Upcoming artist RINES releases new single ‘When You Fall’

bakchormeeboyOctober 7, 2021October 7, 2021Leave a comment

Arts, Music, Singapore

Music Is: Amanda Ong releases new single ‘Square’

One song away from her next EP, Square is singer-songwriter Amanda Ong’s latest release. The song is now available on all major streaming platforms. A slight departure from Amanda’s previous releases, Square’s lyrics make little narrative sense – even the singer herself can’t seem to recall what it’s truly about. One thing she’s sure about is that the chorus hints at imperfection, normalising it … Continue reading Music Is: Amanda Ong releases new single ‘Square’