Preview: Temporary Chinese Theatres by Emergency Stairs and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)

If Chinese-language theatre were to die on the spot before our very eyes, should we scatter flowers or burn incense? With this sharp question, acclaimed local director Liu Xiaoyi joins forces with the inaugural graduating cohort of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts’ (NAFA) BA (Hons) in Contemporary Chinese Theatres to present their latest work, Temporary Chinese Theatres, from 20 to 23 November at the … Continue reading Preview: Temporary Chinese Theatres by Emergency Stairs and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)

Preview: Othello by Intercultural Theatre Institute

Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI) presents Shakespeare’s Othello, directed and adapted by multi-award-winning theatre artist Tang Shu-wing, and performed by the graduating cohort of 2025. This is Tang’s first production in Singapore since 2013. Described as “one of the richest and most wrenching of Shakespeare’s tragedies” (Variety, 2025), the story of Othello was written in 1603 and has been told across film and stage for centuries. … Continue reading Preview: Othello by Intercultural Theatre Institute

Murakami’s ‘Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World’ gets new stage adaptation, led by Death Note/Battle Royale star Tatusya Fujiwara

Haruki Murakami’s visionary imagination leaps off the page and onto the stage in End of the World and Hard-Boiled Wonderland, an ambitious adaptation of his acclaimed 1985 novel Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. Direct from its world premiere in Tokyo in January at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Playhouse, this highly anticipated production arrives in Singapore next April, for just one electrifying weekend. … Continue reading Murakami’s ‘Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World’ gets new stage adaptation, led by Death Note/Battle Royale star Tatusya Fujiwara

Say his name: ‘Beetlejuice the Musical’ stars Andy Karl and Karis Oka talk about the 2026 Singapore tour

It may still be two months until Singapore officially enters the Netherworld, but Beetlejuice The Musical is already raising the dead. Broadway’s brilliantly bonkers, eight-time Tony-nominated phenomenon will take over the Esplanade Theatre in January 2026. Here on a whirlwind media tour to stir up some trouble are the show’s two leads: Broadway titan Andy Karl (Beetlejuice) and breakout Australian star Karis Oka (Lydia Deetz), … Continue reading Say his name: ‘Beetlejuice the Musical’ stars Andy Karl and Karis Oka talk about the 2026 Singapore tour

Pangdemonium’s 2026 Season promises reinvention and resilience with ‘Force Majeure’, ‘A Mirror’ and ‘Come From Away’

Pangdemonium’s 2026 season is a powerful celebration of storytelling in all its forms, from a reimagined classic to a razor-sharp political satire and a musical that reminds us of the best in humanity. The line-up features the world premiere of Force Majeure by Stephanie Street, the Singapore premiere of Sam Holcroft’s A Mirror, and the Olivier Award-winning musical Come From Away, three productions that promise … Continue reading Pangdemonium’s 2026 Season promises reinvention and resilience with ‘Force Majeure’, ‘A Mirror’ and ‘Come From Away’

Twelve Angry Men, 12 years later: An Interview with Nelson Chia on restaging Nine Years Theatre’s iconic play

A verdict that decides life or death. A clash of prejudice and justice. An intense midnight quarrel leads to the murder of a man. Witnesses take the stand as his 16-year-old son is tried for homicide. With all testimonies against the boy, his fate hangs by a thread as 12 jurors must render the final verdict. In the stifling heat of the jury room, 12 … Continue reading Twelve Angry Men, 12 years later: An Interview with Nelson Chia on restaging Nine Years Theatre’s iconic play

An Interview with director Simon Stone on finding the soul of Seoul in Korean adaptation of Chekhov’s ‘The Cherry Orchard’ (벚꽃동산)

“Chekhov was never really writing about Russia; he was writing about us,” says acclaimed director Simon Stone, his voice brimming with intent. “It was always about what happens when the world moves on, and how we’re not ready.” It’s a sentiment that lingers, this idea that Chekhov’s melancholic comedies of inaction, his portraits of ordinary people caught between eras, might still hold the mirror up … Continue reading An Interview with director Simon Stone on finding the soul of Seoul in Korean adaptation of Chekhov’s ‘The Cherry Orchard’ (벚꽃동산)

★★★★★ Theatre Review: Kimberly Akimbo by Pangdemonium!

Life-affirming, powerful and incredibly fun musical anchored by a stellar Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo emerges as one of the best of the year. Every so often, a musical comes along that simply knocks the wind out of you through sheer sincerity. In their final show of their 2025 season, Pangdemonium’s Kimberly Akimbo achieves that, one of the best shows of the year that is both hilarious and … Continue reading ★★★★★ Theatre Review: Kimberly Akimbo by Pangdemonium!

★★★☆☆ Theatre Review: The Serangoon Gardens Techno Party of 1993 by Wild Rice

Joel Tan’s new play is a manic punk dream that takes us on a trippy ride on being a rebel without a cause in sanitised Singapore. In Singapore, rebellion often feels like a memory we’ve outgrown. We live orderly lives, shaped and honed for maximum efficiency, stability, and safety. Yet beneath that calm hum, there’s the quiet ache of a frustration we rarely name. To … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Theatre Review: The Serangoon Gardens Techno Party of 1993 by Wild Rice

★★★★☆ Theatre Review: Yusof – Portrait of a President by Teater Ekamatra

A dignified and contemplative play honouring Singapore’s first president with quiet grace. Playing as part of the Esplanade’s 60 Connections – At Home and Afar SG60 celebrations, the decision to restage Yusof: Portrait of a President marks an invitation to look deeper into the life story of our first president, alongside his enduring ideas and belief that dignity, unity, and justice should form the foundations … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Theatre Review: Yusof – Portrait of a President by Teater Ekamatra