Review: The Page on Stage – Missing presented by The Arts House

Love goes hand in hand with loss in this moving adaptation of Ng Swee San’s short story. While K. Rajagopal is best known for his acclaimed work on film, the director of A Yellow Bird admitted in Missing’s post show discussion that he was nervous about helming this theatrical work, considering how film and theatre are two very different mediums. The truth is, he had absolutely nothing to worry … Continue reading Review: The Page on Stage – Missing presented by The Arts House

Preview: The Page on Stage – Missing presented by The Arts House

The Arts House’s Page on Stage series has been growing from strength to strength, starting off at the 2018 edition of Textures with an adaptation of short stories from Gopal Baratham, Colin Cheong, Philip Jeyaretnam and Simon Tay, and at the 2019 edition of Textures, with the pared down but very moving Samping, from Math Paper Press’ Balik Kampung series. Now, the series is back for its third part, going beyond Textures to present Ng Swee … Continue reading Preview: The Page on Stage – Missing presented by The Arts House

Preview: First Fleet (第一舰队) by Nine Years Theatre

Nine Years Theatre (NYT) is back for their second production of the year with the all new First Fleet. Written by NYT Artistic Director Nelson Chia, First Fleet draws inspiration from Thomas Keneally’s novel The Playmaker, and tells of the journey taken by British officers and convicts as they travelled towards what would become Australia, during the colonial era of convict transportation. Along the way, the Governor gives an unusual instruction … Continue reading Preview: First Fleet (第一舰队) by Nine Years Theatre

Preview: Love Ya Mom! 爱呀,我的妈! by Godot Theatre Company

Godot Theatre Company impressed us last year when they presented their award-winning production of Tuesdays with Morrie. Now, they’re back again at the Esplanade Theatre, this time with their hit Mandarin musical Love Ya Mom! In this musical comedy, a single mother (also an expert mechanic) and her daughter (with rock star ambitions) swap bodies when a genius scientist’s experiment goes wrong. Chaos, naturally, ensues as they struggle … Continue reading Preview: Love Ya Mom! 爱呀,我的妈! by Godot Theatre Company

Review: Fatih – The Prince and the Drum by NADI Singapura (Pesta Raya 2019)

An epic, joyous production elevating the art of drumming to new heights.  There are some productions that can only be described as nothing more than pure joy to watch. Fatih – The Prince and the Drum, happens to be one such production, as it cleverly uses a mix of Malay percussion, song, martial arts and staging to make a familiar tale of a fallen prince seeking … Continue reading Review: Fatih – The Prince and the Drum by NADI Singapura (Pesta Raya 2019)

Review: The Seen and Unseen (Sekala Niskala) by Kamila Andini (Pesta Raya 2019)

Clear direction and precise choreography make this highly spiritual work a success. Transitioning from one medium to another can be a daunting task, with the biggest question being “what does the new form add that the old one did not?” But for Indonesian director Kamila Andini, the answer to that is clear, with the stage adaptation of her 2017 film The Seen and Unseen. Born out … Continue reading Review: The Seen and Unseen (Sekala Niskala) by Kamila Andini (Pesta Raya 2019)

Preview: Fatih – The Prince and the Drum by NADI Singapura (Pesta Raya 2019)

As the annual Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of the Arts returns this weekend, expect the Esplanade to come awash in a flurry of activity as the space is enlivened by a carefully curated variety of performing arts from the Malay Archipelago, from famous regional singers and bands, to children’s theatre, to dance and theatre. Headlining the festival is the first large-scale commission of a … Continue reading Preview: Fatih – The Prince and the Drum by NADI Singapura (Pesta Raya 2019)

Preview: The Seen & Unseen by Kamila Andini (Pesta Raya 2019)

This weekend, the Esplanade’s annual Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of the Arts returns to present a finely curated selection of performing arts from the Malay Archipelago, ranging from well-known regional singers, children’s plays, and of course, theatre and dance. Of these, they will be premiering Indonesian artist Kamila Andini’s The Seen and Unseen, a theatrical/dance performance inspired by her film of the same name, as performed … Continue reading Preview: The Seen & Unseen by Kamila Andini (Pesta Raya 2019)

An Interview with Paris Opera Ballet Étoiles Léonore Baulac and Germain Louvet

Last weekend, the world famous, 300-year strong Paris Opera Ballet arrived at the Esplanade to perform some of the greatest contemporary hits in their repertoire. Performing William Forsythe’s Blake Works I, Jerome Robbins’ In the Night, and Crystal Pite’s The Season’s Canon, audiences were hyped, to say the least, about the rare opportunity to catch not one but three incredible performances in one sitting. Following an afternoon rehearsal on their … Continue reading An Interview with Paris Opera Ballet Étoiles Léonore Baulac and Germain Louvet

Review: How I Learned To Drive by Wag the Dog Theatre

Learning to put the brakes on trauma with a lesson on driving. Getting a handle on trauma is often like driving on a rainy day. Your perspective is foggy, the road ahead is slippery, and you can’t shake the constant anxiety that accompanies every second in the driver’s seat. And with Wag the Dog theatre’s latest production, that concept of control and being controlled by … Continue reading Review: How I Learned To Drive by Wag the Dog Theatre