★★★★☆ Review: Model Citizens (2021) by The Necessary Stage

Women without men. Singapore is a nation that has always been proud of its pristine city, seemingly flawless to the rest of the world. But underneath its facade lies a tangled mass of quashed tensions, constantly threatening to break past the surface.  Such is the case in The Necessary Stage’s (TNS) Model Citizens, where a Member of Parliament (MP) is stabbed by an unhappy citizen, … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Model Citizens (2021) by The Necessary Stage

Review: Acting Mad by The Necessary Stage

Exemplary, no holds barred look at mental health in the theatre industry. As much as mental health has entered common conversation these days, it remains one of the most misunderstood conditions in the workplace, seen as some kind of weakness, a burden to employers or worse, a fake excuse to get out of work. But what about in the theatre industry, where actors are constantly … Continue reading Review: Acting Mad by The Necessary Stage

Review: We Were So Hopeful Then by The Necessary Stage

An attempt to highlight the invisible people key to a production’s success. In any theatre production, those deemed worthy of praise are often limited to cast and creatives. But even beyond them, there still exist people who are present in every production, yet never receive praise or acknowledgement they deserve. To highlight these invisible people then acts as one of the key goals of Ellison Tan’s We … Continue reading Review: We Were So Hopeful Then by The Necessary Stage

Preview: The Orange Production 2019 by The Necessary Stage

The Necessary Stage (TNS) is having an incredibly busy 2019, with a festival, and two mainstage productions. Of course, it doesn’t stop there, and come this July, they’re bringing back their developmental platform, The Orange Production for the second time, ready to bring new talent and new work into the local theatre scene. Through The Orange Production, TNS turns the spotlight on young artists, providing the … Continue reading Preview: The Orange Production 2019 by The Necessary Stage

Review: Civilised by The Necessary Stage

An audacious celebration of the Singapore Bicentennial and our post-colonial hangups in true TNS fashion.  From the very moment the Singapore Bicentennial was announced, fiery controversy was sparked as the sheer audacity of such an event was called into question. After all, which country actually celebrates the anniversary of their colonisation? It is from this central question that The Necessary Stage’s newest production seems to be … Continue reading Review: Civilised by The Necessary Stage

Preview: Civilised by The Necessary Stage

Break out the party poppers, cut the cake, and celebrate Singapore’s Bicentennial with The Necessary Stage (TNS)! But hold on a minute – should we really be celebrating our Bicentennial, an anniversary marked and marred by the complications of colonialism and an almost reverent commemoration of the white men and founding fathers who arrived on our shores to transform us from small fishing villages to booming metropolis, … Continue reading Preview: Civilised by The Necessary Stage

Review: It Takes All Kinds by Theatre for Seniors (The Necessary Stage)

Community theatre-style presentation of honest, heartfelt stories. The Necessary Stage’s (TNS) Theatre for Seniors programme turns 10 this year, and over the last decade, has slowly but surely instilled a small interest group of seniors with the power of theatre and the arts. Over the last weekend, the community theatre group presented devised work It Takes All Kinds this weekend, comprising a medley of scenes inspired by the … Continue reading Review: It Takes All Kinds by Theatre for Seniors (The Necessary Stage)

Preview: It Takes All Kinds by Theatre for Seniors (The Necessary Stage)

10 years ago, leading local theatre company The Necessary Stage (TNS) started their Theatre for Seniors (TFS) programme, a platform for pioneers and older citizens to find a creative and educational space to learn and perform theatre. Now, TFS has come into its own as a professional theatre group, and this year, will present a brand new production jointly devised and performed by seniors. Says Alvin … Continue reading Preview: It Takes All Kinds by Theatre for Seniors (The Necessary Stage)

Preview: Sanctuary by The Necessary Stage and HANCHU-YUEI

The Necessary Stage marks the end of their 30th anniversary celebrations with an all new play this November. Sanctuary is an international collaboration with contemporary Japanese theatre company HANCHU-YUEI. Set in the future, Santuary imagines how we will deal with new technology such as memories, data, artificial intelligence and the echoes of social media. How will social and familial relationships change? Will we be ok with being constantly under … Continue reading Preview: Sanctuary by The Necessary Stage and HANCHU-YUEI