★★★★☆ Review: Vilangkuppannai (Animal Farm) by Agam Theatre Lab

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Since it was first published in 1945, George Orwell’s Animal Farm has become one of the most renowned allegories in the English language, still studied in schools to this day, and ever relevant with its hard-hitting truths about the fallibility of humans and the difficulty of subverting established power systems. Receiving countless stage adaptations, the … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Vilangkuppannai (Animal Farm) by Agam Theatre Lab

Open Call: Pathey Nimidam 2021 by Esplanade – Theatres on The Bay

Calling all budding playwrights – the Esplanade’s annual Pathey Nimidam festival returns from 27th to 29th August 2021, and they’re looking for participants. Comprising a series of new 10-minute Tamil plays, Pathey Nimidam will involve the participation of numerous Tamil and non-Tamil theatre practitioners, from directors, to playwrights, to actors. This particular open call is looking for new playwrights and provide them with a platform to … Continue reading Open Call: Pathey Nimidam 2021 by Esplanade – Theatres on The Bay

Review: Crazy Poor Sita by Sharul Channa

Sharul Channa lets her acid humour take a backseat to this timely character drama about the underclass of Singapore. Better known for her sharp tongue and razor wit, stand up comedian Sharul Channa has lately, been delving into a somewhat different brand of performance lately, exploring her actor side with character work that’s seen her transform into women of all backgrounds. In the International Women’s … Continue reading Review: Crazy Poor Sita by Sharul Channa

Crazy Poor Sita: An Interview with Sharul Channa On Her Newest Show

Comedian extraordinaire Sharul Channa may be better known for her acid-tongued acerbic wit and jabs, but last year, surprised us with a series of dramatic monologues presenting the stories of various women in the Indian community at Kalaa Utsavam 2018. Now, Sharul is back to kickstart her 2019 season with a brand new show that continues to build on that craft, with Crazy Poor Sita premiering in … Continue reading Crazy Poor Sita: An Interview with Sharul Channa On Her Newest Show

Kalaa Utsavam 2018: Bali by Adishakti Theatre (Review)

Adishakti Theatre delivers both monkey business and human emotion in equal amounts in this surprisingly powerful fringe show. The Hindi epic The Ramayana is an account of the heroic deeds performed by the hero Rama, often considered a ‘champion of dharma’, or righteous deeds. But as we all know, morality exists in shades of grey, and when put to close examination, one comes to realise … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2018: Bali by Adishakti Theatre (Review)

Kalaa Utsavam 2018: Disco Sheela and Other Indian Superwomen by Sharul Channa (Review)

Not all superheroes wear capes – sometimes they wear a sari.  While we’re very much used to hearing Sharul Channa let loose her signature pottymouth, in a changeup from her usual style of comedy, Sharul attempts to break new ground with Disco Sheela and Other Indian Superwomen. Distinct from her previous performances, Disco Sheela sees the leading female comedian take on brand new characters across four monologues, highlighting the … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2018: Disco Sheela and Other Indian Superwomen by Sharul Channa (Review)

Kalaa Utsavam 2018: Parasu – The Story of An Ultimate Warrior by Avant Theatre (Review)

A collection of tales about the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu In Hindu mythology, the warrior sage Parasu is best known for being the sixth avatar of the god Lord Vishnu, maintainer of balance in the universe. Blessed with immense power and war sense when visited by the god Shiva one day, Parasu is simultaneously cursed with a seemingly unending anger that both feeds his … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2018: Parasu – The Story of An Ultimate Warrior by Avant Theatre (Review)

Singapore Writers Festival 2018: The Ghost In Your Head (Review)

A novel idea with flawed execution.  Immersive productions are all the rage these days, with audiences often demanding to experience art beyond the usual mediums. Naturally, one of these art forms would be literature, where one’s imagination is already subject to go wild as we visualise fantastic worlds and characters within their pages, and lends itself perfectly to theatrical adaptation, with our spectral thoughts manifesting … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival 2018: The Ghost In Your Head (Review)

Singapore Writers Festival Director Yeow Kai Chai’s Final Edition Draws To A Close

After 10 days of exciting programmes, pop ups, local and international authors and new ways of engaging with literary arts, the 21st edition of the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) finally drew to a close last Sunday, after opening audiences up to the many worlds authors created and brought to life through their writing and thoughts. On the final day of SWF 2018, we began first … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival Director Yeow Kai Chai’s Final Edition Draws To A Close

Singapore Writers Festival 2018: The State of The World According To David Sedaris, Irvine Welsh, Mariko Tamaki and Margaret Stohl

With a theme like 界(Jie): The World(s) We Live In, it’s impossible for the Singapore Writers Festival not to fill itself with programmes and events that discuss the state of affairs surrounding the world today. At times horrifying with the increasingly dismal state of politics and disasters, at times completely absurd with the odd news we come across, and at times even hopeful, from finding inspiration … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival 2018: The State of The World According To David Sedaris, Irvine Welsh, Mariko Tamaki and Margaret Stohl