In London’s West End 2019: Death of A Salesman at the Piccadilly Theatre (Review)

★★★★☆ (Performance attended 4/12/19) Arthur Miller’s classic play of the collapse of the American Dream feels urgent and racially charged in this new version by the Young Vic. LONDON – For anyone who’s ever studied Death of a Salesman in school, Arthur Miller’s classic play is iconic as a symbol of the American Dream crashing down, with the titular death representing everything wrong with the relentless, … Continue reading In London’s West End 2019: Death of A Salesman at the Piccadilly Theatre (Review)

In London’s West End 2019: Touching the Void at the Duke of York’s Theatre (Review)

★★★☆☆ (Performance attended 2/12/19) Innovative staging depicting the perils of mountain climbing marred by a dragged out storyline.  LONDON – Much like other extreme sports, alpine climbers lead dangerous lives as they scale one precarious mountain after another, constantly seeking out the next adrenaline rush with a taller mountain with each expedition. It’s no surprise that plenty of them eventually end up dying in climbing-related … Continue reading In London’s West End 2019: Touching the Void at the Duke of York’s Theatre (Review)

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)

Review: Operatic Identities by CulturedGen

Modernising Chinese Opera for a contemporary audience. It’s not often that one thinks of ‘Instagram museums’ or immersive exhibitions as having a strong educational focus, but with CulturedGen’s Operatic Identities, the experiment in form has yielded success in making Beijing Opera ‘cool’ and intriguing. Conceptualised by Summer Song as inspired by her mother, a Beijing Opera performer and educator in Singapore, the idea behind Operatic Identities stemmed from … Continue reading Review: Operatic Identities by CulturedGen

Review: Beach Burden Bliss – A Double Bill @ Punggol Beach by Desert Wine Productions

★☆☆☆☆ (Performance attended 16/11/19, 6pm) An interesting site-specific concept gone awry with flat script, unintentional camp, and its inability to fully incorporate the site organically into the production. When one thinks of a theatre, Punggol Beach isn’t exactly the first venue that comes to mind. With unstable, sandy ground, the sound of waves crashing over nearby rocks and limited lighting when night falls, the prospect … Continue reading Review: Beach Burden Bliss – A Double Bill @ Punggol Beach by Desert Wine Productions

Preview: Beach Burden Bliss – A Double Bill @ Punggol Beach by Desert Wine Productions

As far as site-specific works go, beaches are a rather unlikely space to host a theatrical performance. But with Desert Wine’s Comfort Theatre Series, the local theatre company is doing just that, with the premiere of Beach Burden Bliss at Punggol Beach this November. Celebrating the Singapore Bicentennial with this production, Beach Burden Bliss invites audience members to visit Desert Wine’s comfy Beach Hut on the sand by … Continue reading Preview: Beach Burden Bliss – A Double Bill @ Punggol Beach by Desert Wine Productions

Preview: Operatic Identities by CulturedGen + Interview with Creator Summer Song

Summer Song has led a multicultured life. Born in China, she moved to Singapore when she was just 8, before moving to Toronto 11 years ago to work. Obtaining a Masters from Columbia in New York, she entered the financial services and did corporate jobs before it finally hit her along the way that something was missing in her life. And then she realised what … Continue reading Preview: Operatic Identities by CulturedGen + Interview with Creator Summer Song

Touring the UK 2019: Rob Brydon – Songs & Stories (Preview)

LONDON – Award winning comedian Rob Brydon and his eight-piece band will take to the road next year with a brand new show, Rob Brydon – Songs and Stories.  This is the first time that Brydon has created a show that includes songs and music as well as his acclaimed wit and comedy. This extensive new tour begins in February 2020 and will travel to almost 30 … Continue reading Touring the UK 2019: Rob Brydon – Songs & Stories (Preview)

Touring the UK 2019: European Arts Company’s A Christmas Carol (Preview)

LONDON – This festive season, European Arts Company returns following a highly successful 2018 run of A Christmas Carol. Inspired by Dickens’s own charitable work, the 2019 tour is in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, reflecting the heart-warming message of Scrooge’s philanthropic transformation in this perfect Christmas story. Audiences will be thrilled to experience A Christmas Carol as Dickens himself performed it over 150 … Continue reading Touring the UK 2019: European Arts Company’s A Christmas Carol (Preview)