TRIP 2024: An Interview with Sim Yan Ying ‘YY’ on directing ‘pass·ages’ and the process of collaborative learning and the joy of creation

Theatremaker Sim Yan Ying ‘YY’ may only be in her 20s, but she’s already able to list a slew of artistic achievements to her name across both Singapore and New York, starting from humble devised works, to experiments online, to working with major theatre companies such as T:>works and W!ld Rice. Now, fresh from a rejuvenating break, YY returns to the Esplanade to complete her … Continue reading TRIP 2024: An Interview with Sim Yan Ying ‘YY’ on directing ‘pass·ages’ and the process of collaborative learning and the joy of creation

Preview: Sim Yan Ying and Renee Yeong complete their TRIP journey with two new shows this April at the Esplanade Theatre Studio

After making their The Studios debuts in 2023 under Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s TRIP programme for early career directors to showcase their work, Sim Yan Ying “YY” and Renee Yeong are back this April to each present a brand new work to round off their journey. In 2023, YY presented Joel Tan’s No Particular Order, while Renee presented Michelle Tan’s I Am Trying … Continue reading Preview: Sim Yan Ying and Renee Yeong complete their TRIP journey with two new shows this April at the Esplanade Theatre Studio

★★★★☆ Review: Berak by Teater Ekamatra

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

★★★★☆ Review: Acting Mad by The Necessary Stage

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

Esplanade’s The Studios 2022: An Interview with Teater Ekamatra’s Mohd Fared Jainal and Zulfadli Rashid on ‘Berak’

When Chong Tze Chien’s Poop was first staged back in 2010, the new play was a tour de force that firmly cemented The Finger Players (TFP) as a company to watch, with a heartbreaking story about love and loss, told through evocative music, effective lighting, and of course, whimsical puppetry. 12 years on and several restagings later, the contemporary classic is getting a brand new … Continue reading Esplanade’s The Studios 2022: An Interview with Teater Ekamatra’s Mohd Fared Jainal and Zulfadli Rashid on ‘Berak’

Review: Lost Cinema 20/20 by Brian Gothong Tan (The Studios Online)

The subconscious mind collides with filmmaking in a theatrical homage to classic cinema, and a wistful reflection on loss.  If the mind is a cinema, then our dreams are the feature films it screens when we fall asleep, crafted from a combination of our subconscious thoughts and lived experiences. What would it be like then, to be able to watch and feel a dream playing … Continue reading Review: Lost Cinema 20/20 by Brian Gothong Tan (The Studios Online)

The Esplanade’s Pesta Raya Goes Online

  Much like the recently concluded The Studios Online season, with the restrictions placed on live performances, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay has made the move to shift their annual Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts completely online. A total of nine productions, comprising three new works and six archival recordings from previous editions of Pesta Raya editions, can be enjoyed completely free-of-charge … Continue reading The Esplanade’s Pesta Raya Goes Online

The Studios 2020: An Interview with Playwright Lucas Ho (The Heart Comes To Mind)

Originally meant to have rounded off this year’s edition of Esplanade’s The Studios 2020, Checkpoint Theatre has faced multiple issues with staging and even recording Lucas Ho’s new play due to the circuit breaker measures in place. But now, they’re armed with an audio version of the production, set to be presented as part of The Esplanade’s The Studios Online season in June, and excited … Continue reading The Studios 2020: An Interview with Playwright Lucas Ho (The Heart Comes To Mind)

The Esplanade Takes The Studios Online and More With Lineup of Digital Content

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay continues to roll out more online content to keep audiences engaged with the arts, even when stuck at home. Beyond archival content, this year’s cancelled season of The Studios continues to live on, with two of the scheduled works now being presented as part of The Studios Online. These new releases add to the range of online arts offerings … Continue reading The Esplanade Takes The Studios Online and More With Lineup of Digital Content

The Studios 2020: An Interview with Toy Pianist Margaret Leng Tan (Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep) [CANCELLED]

Playing a toy piano could easily come off as a gimmick, but for Margaret Leng Tan, the experimental artist has somehow managed to carve it into an entire career. Now, get ready to hear the story behind one of Singapore’s most renowned avant garde musicians, as Margaret presents Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep this March. Co-commissioned by the Esplanade and Arts Centre Melbourne, The Studios 2020 was originally … Continue reading The Studios 2020: An Interview with Toy Pianist Margaret Leng Tan (Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep) [CANCELLED]