The Mad Chinaman: In Conversation with Dick Lee On His Life, His Music, and His Continued Relevance

Perhaps more than anyone else, Dick Lee is the foremost pioneer and pillar of the Singapore music scene. And of all people, he’s certainly an icon. Best known for composing everyone’s favourite National Day Parade song ‘Home’, Dick has had an illustrious career with over 20 albums to his name. Even now, in his 60s, Dick certainly isn’t resting on his laurels, and is still … Continue reading The Mad Chinaman: In Conversation with Dick Lee On His Life, His Music, and His Continued Relevance

Preview: New Works Festival 2019 by Singapore Chinese Language Theatre Alliance

In 2016, six of Singapore’s leading Chinese language theatre companies united and formed the Singapore Chinese Language Theatre Alliance. Aiming to surface and address concerns and issues pertaining to the development of Chinese language theatre scene in Singapore, the six members of the alliance are Drama Box, Nine Years Theatre, Paper Monkey Theatre, The Finger Players, The Theatre Practice and Toy Factory Productions. Three years on, they’re … Continue reading Preview: New Works Festival 2019 by Singapore Chinese Language Theatre Alliance

Review: 1984 by The Young Company

The latest batch of Young Company graduates tackles Orwell’s magnum opus. George Orwell’s 1984 is a classic of modern literature, imagining a terrifying dystopian world of surveillance states and totalitarian governments. And come the chaotic state of the world today, more than ever, it feels as if that world is becoming a reality we cannot deny. With this new production by The Young Company’s latest graduating … Continue reading Review: 1984 by The Young Company

Preview: SSO Gala -Vladimir Ashkenazy & Gautier Capuço

Explore the dark poetry of Schumann’s Manfred Overture, the impassioned Cello Concerto and the fiery heart of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony. The internationally celebrated conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy returns in an unmissable pairing with the illustrious French cellist Gautier Capuçon in this concert of arch-Romantic fervour. One of the few artists to combine a successful career as a pianist and conductor, Russian-born Vladimir Ashkenazy first came to … Continue reading Preview: SSO Gala -Vladimir Ashkenazy & Gautier Capuço

Preview: Dick Lee’s The Mad Chinaman 30th Anniversary Concert

Following last year’s SingaPOPera concert celebrating the musicals of Dick Lee, the Mad Chinaman returns to the Esplanade Concert Hall this September for a one-night only concert! The Mad Chinaman 30th Anniversary concert will naturally, feature Dick Lee himself, alongside the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra. Under the baton of Music Director Adrian Tan, this special pop-classical crossover celebrates the 1989 release of Dick’s seminal work, The Mad Chinaman, often considered … Continue reading Preview: Dick Lee’s The Mad Chinaman 30th Anniversary Concert

Museum Musings: City Hall – If Walls Could Talk at National Gallery Singapore

The City Hall has had a long and colourful history since its completion in 1929. From serving as a bomb shelter during the Japanese Occupation to housing Singapore’s first Public Complaints Bureau, the building has borne witness to key moments in Singapore’s history. In conjunction with the Singapore Bicentennial commemoration, National Gallery Singapore will present City Hall: If Walls Could Talk from 1st September 2019 … Continue reading Museum Musings: City Hall – If Walls Could Talk at National Gallery Singapore

Dance Dance Dance: World Supremacy Battlegrounds Singapore 2019 by EVOK3 and *SCAPE

As one of Singapore’s biggest street dance competitions, World Supremacy Battlegrounds Singapore enjoyed a sold-out show in its first year, and is back this year for a second round. In support of Singapore’s street dance community and to acknowledge its positive impact on youths, Guest of Honour, Ms Grace Fu, Minister of Culture, Community and Youth, will be present at the event. World Supremacy Battlegrounds … Continue reading Dance Dance Dance: World Supremacy Battlegrounds Singapore 2019 by EVOK3 and *SCAPE

Preview: Nam Hwa Blazes 《万紫千红》(September 2019) by Nam Hwa Opera

Nam Hwa Opera’s quarterly FREE outreach series Nam Hwa Blazes is back this September for a very special edition. Taking place at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre this Saturday, they’ll be presenting “Drums, Tunes, Children and Rhyme”,  with 4 music pieces by Nam Hwa Opera’s Teochew Music Ensemble, along with 6 songs by Nam Hwa’s Pharyngeal Singing student, all taught by renowned Chinese musician Wu Kun,. This edition of Nam … Continue reading Preview: Nam Hwa Blazes 《万紫千红》(September 2019) by Nam Hwa Opera

Review: The Adventures of Abhijeet by Patch and Punnet

Singa-satire still falls flat. When The Adventures of Abhijeet was first presented the M1 Singapore Fringe earlier this year, I was unable to get a chance to catch it. Reading up about it, I found out how that version was pitched as a rollicking satire on xenophobia, while this newer, full-length one pulls back its claim to simply be “a story where migrant workers are … Continue reading Review: The Adventures of Abhijeet by Patch and Punnet

Preview: Walking With Dinosaurs – The Live Experience by Sliding Doors Entertainment and UnUsUal Entertainment

The dinosaurs are back to walk the earth, as Walking With Dinosaurs – The Live Experience returns to Singapore’s Indoor Stadium this August! Based off the award-winning BBC television series of the same name, Walking With Dinosaurs has been seen by over 9 million people in more than 250 cities around the world, and is set to impress with 18-life size ‘dinosaurs’.  Having opened its World Tour in the UK in … Continue reading Preview: Walking With Dinosaurs – The Live Experience by Sliding Doors Entertainment and UnUsUal Entertainment