Chong Tze Chien’s Poop! takes on new life for a Malay audience. According to the Islamic faith, a person commits suicide is sent straight to hell. Yet, within Malay culture, there remains the belief in the existence of hantus and lingering spirits that remain earthbound even after death. Does that then suggest there are alternative means to think about what lies after death, and use … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Berak by Teater Ekamatra
Singapore Ballet presents a well-loved ballet classic, Coppélia, from 15 – 18 September at Esplanade Theatre. As their first full-length classical ballet since Romeo and Juliet in March 2020, Coppélia ranks among the most enchanting and comical ballets in history, as a light-hearted ballet that sparks joy from within and promises to leave audiences tickled in their seats. Based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, … Continue reading Preview: Coppelia by Singapore Ballet
In the world of dating, finding your other half is often easier done from within the same industry. And for Nelson Chia and Mia Chee, who’ve known each other for over 20 years now, love came naturally for the two of them over their shared experiences in theatre. “We were actually both in NUS Theatre Studies at the same time, but in different batches, so … Continue reading See You, Anniversary: An Interview with Nelson Chia and Mia Chee on Nine Years Theatre and relationships
AJOOMMA 《花路阿朱妈》, the first ever Singapore-South Korea co-produced feature film, will hold its world premiere at the 27th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on 7th October. It is also the first Singapore film, since Eric Khoo’s MEE POK MAN (1996) and Royston Tan’s 15 (2003), to be selected for competition at BIFF’s well established New Currents competition. Produced by award-winning Singapore filmmaker Anthony Chen and helmed by first-time feature director He Shuming, AJOOMMA will open in Singapore cinemas … Continue reading Film Fanatic: The First Singapore-South Korea Co-Produced Feature Film AJOOMMA《花路阿朱妈》To Hold Its World Premiere At The 27th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)
In a world of unusual musical concepts, Aiwei and Singapore Repertory Theatre’s (SRT) The LKY Musical probably ranks among the more unexpected ones. Based on the life and times of Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, The LKY Musical treads a difficult line of having to balance respect for the man’s legacy, chart an accurate and comprehensive enough history of Singapore, and still deliver … Continue reading Staging the Singapore Story: An Interview with director Steven Dexter and actor Adrian Pang on Aiwei and SRT’s The LKY Musical (2022)
As the environment around us changes, so does the human body, expressing itself in response to the ever-changing landscape. Whether for better or worse, it is in these times that we turn our attention to the arts, as we find a way to process all this change through the word of the body. And within the realm of the arts, the medium of dance offers … Continue reading Preview: da:ns Festival 2022 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
September is coming, and we all know what that means – a full moon on the horizon, and the Esplanade’s annual Moonfest, held in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Now in its 18th edition, this year’s Moonfest will be celebrated with an array of free performances of traditional Chinese arts, and ticketed workshops for families of all ages. Focused on preserving and showcasing traditional arts, … Continue reading Preview: Moonfest 2022 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
In the anthropocene, we go where the light leads us. Dimitris Papaioannou choreographs like an artist – the scenes we bear witness to are all about the visuals, shifting between unconventional imagery and absurd situation, never easy to understand upon first look, but always striking, and capable of producing a visceral, emotional reaction. Every moment onstage is like witnessing a painting in motion, and rarely … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Transverse Orientation by Dimitris Papaioannou
A necessary production for a world in want of greater empathy. Actors have a reputation for being dramatic. It’s their profession after all, to perform and to present people and situations that are often exaggerated and emotionally-charged, to entertain and evoke catharsis in paying audiences. But we often forget that actors are far more than just blank slates, morphing and becoming whatever role they’ve been … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Acting Mad by The Necessary Stage
New ending to Orwell’s classic further blurs the line between man and beast. For centuries, humans have evolved from prehistoric creatures to the hyper-intelligent dominant species on Earth today. But in a world filled with constant war and animosity, one can’t help but think if somewhere inside our modern minds, there still lies a hint of that original animal instinct, and whether we truly can … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Animal Farm by Wild Rice
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