Esplanade’s The Studios 2023: An Interview with Silke Huysmans and Hannes Dereere, creators of ‘The Mining Trilogy’

In November 2015, a dam containing toxic mining waste collapsed a few miles away from theatremaker Silke Huysmans’ childhood home in the South of Brazil. Not only did a devastating flood of mud destroy several villages below the dam, but in the next couple of days, poisonous sludge flowed into the river Rio Doce and eventually reached the Atlantic Ocean, causing massive ecological impact and … Continue reading Esplanade’s The Studios 2023: An Interview with Silke Huysmans and Hannes Dereere, creators of ‘The Mining Trilogy’

Preview: The Studios 2023 – Landings by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Celebrating their 20th edition, the Esplanade’s The Studios series takes on a newer, expanded format, responding to the ever-changing world and continuing to programme work that challenges our notions of what art can be and do. Starting off this new version of The Studios, from 2023-2025, the programme will explore notions of Land. With works performed across various venues in the Esplanade, including the new … Continue reading Preview: The Studios 2023 – Landings by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

★★★☆☆ Review: Kusu Island by The Fool Theatre

Newcomers to the scene keep this short but sweet production buoyed. It’s been four long years since their last production, but Singapore theatre company The Fool Theatre is finally back with a brand new show: Kusu Island. Continuing their series of productions reimagining the origins of Singapore’s islands, this time around, they’re adapting the legend of Kusu Island into an Mandarin musical, perfect for audiences … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Kusu Island by The Fool Theatre

Preview: Kusu Island by The Fool Theatre

This July, The Fool Theatre returns with a brand new Mandarin musical. Aimed at reimagining the origins of the islands of Singapore, this time around, they will be tackling the history and heritage of Kusu Island. Director Xavier Kang leads the production that boasts an eclectic team, of which half are making their professional debuts in their respective roles onstage and off. Kusu Island follows … Continue reading Preview: Kusu Island by The Fool Theatre

From Singapore to the World: An Interview with Faizal Abdullah and Nur Khairiyah on bringing ‘Siapa Yang Bawa Melayu Aku Pergi?’ to Edinburgh

A cosmopolitan city like London may be diverse enough to welcome people of all races and backgrounds from Europe, America and Asia, but what happens when a lesser known ethnic group shows up? How then do they claim space and establish their own identity, when their very existence remains virtually unknown by the majority of the population? For Singaporean Malay theatremaker Faizal Abdullah, that comes … Continue reading From Singapore to the World: An Interview with Faizal Abdullah and Nur Khairiyah on bringing ‘Siapa Yang Bawa Melayu Aku Pergi?’ to Edinburgh

★★★★☆ Review: Pompeii by Edith Podesta and K. Rajagopal (SIFA 2023)

Live film and theatre collide to form an elegiac reflection on trauma and connection. When theatre meets film, the latter is often done in service of the former, supporting the live performance by projecting footage that provides backstory or adds to the mood and thematic concerns. But what happens when you reverse that relationship, and theatre instead services film? That is the unusual approach that … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Pompeii by Edith Podesta and K. Rajagopal (SIFA 2023)

★★★★★ Review: Famous Puppet Death Scenes by The Old Trout Puppet Workshop

Fictional puppet history showcases a myriad of forms, styles, and dark, adult-oriented humour that leaves a powerful sense of catharsis. For so many people, death can be such a terrifying prospect because it seems so mysterious, so sudden, and most of all, inevitable. After all, nobody escapes death – not even puppets. But given that puppets never truly die, it stands to reason that they … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Famous Puppet Death Scenes by The Old Trout Puppet Workshop

★☆☆☆☆ Review: NEW-ILLUSION by Toshiki Okada/chelfitsch (SIFA 2023)

Too much restraint turns an innovative breakup narrative into a snoozefest. In an edition of the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) that has focused so much on formal experimentation and exploration, it’s always exciting when a company like chelfitsch comes in with a new form they’ve been developing for several years, seemingly promising an original work that feels more established in style. Enter EIZO-Theater, … Continue reading ★☆☆☆☆ Review: NEW-ILLUSION by Toshiki Okada/chelfitsch (SIFA 2023)

★★★★☆ Review: Humans 2.0 by Circa (SIFA 2023)

Circus acts elevated to art in a performance that shows the necessity of care. In an already crowded arts and entertainment industry, it can be difficult to stand out and offer something new to the scene. Enter Australian circus company Circa, who show that there is still room to innovate and elevate the circus arts to new heights with their work Humans 2.0. Directed by … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Humans 2.0 by Circa (SIFA 2023)

★☆☆☆☆ Review: The School by Jean Ng, Li Xie and Joavien Ng (SIFA 2023)

A series of exercises in self-reflection that leaves audiences wandering. How much do you remember from your time in school? Most people are likely to tell you – not much, as we complained about the stress of exams and the pointlessness of learning certain subjects. But with participatory performance The School, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) offers audience members a potential alternative education … Continue reading ★☆☆☆☆ Review: The School by Jean Ng, Li Xie and Joavien Ng (SIFA 2023)