Category: Just For You This Weekend

Hi-tech Bowling Alley Strikes Punggol: Put Them Bowling Shoes On!

Calling all bowlers! Whether you’re a sure-strike pro at bowling or a gutter feeder newbie, you’ll definitely have a strikin’ good time at this newly opened hi-tech bowling alley.

Remember how bowling used to be for teenagers and kids? Well, the new alley lanes provided by Punggol SAFRA now makes bowling a more family friendly affair. With more 5-pound bowling balls and automatic lane bumpers, kids will be sure to enjoy the game too!

Orchid Bowl @ Punggol SAFRA

Orchid Bowl has recently launched a new bowling alley in SAFRA Punggol. It has since attracted large crowds but

What makes this bowling alley stand out from the rest?

For starters, all 24 lanes are equipped with highly interactive smart screens. These provide bowlers with new bowling fun. The screens contain more than 1000 different types of animations and themes for players to choose from.

Some features, such as MadGames, allow bowlers to compete against their teammates in different skill-based challenges. These games are the first of its kind in Singapore and are only available at this alley. The games also contain the Score Assist feature, which gives beginner bowlers an advantage over seasoned players. With slight advantage given to beginners, complacency is something experienced bowlers will no longer risk being.

Other cool features such as YouToons allows bowlers to snap pictures and create avatars of themselves. Fans of Mario Kart will find this feature slightly familiar.

If you haven’t tried cosmic bowling (aka bowling with glow-in-the-dark pins and balls) you can now do so at this bowling alley. Orchid Bowl @ Punggol SAFRA is set to operate its Cosmic Bowling nights every Friday and Saturday, starting from 1st July.

Price

The rates at this new bowling alley are charged per hour. Experienced bowlers can now play to their hearts content as there’re no restrictions on the number of games played within the hour. How awesome is that?

With so many cool and family friendly features, you won’t have to worry about the little ones getting bored or that they’ll get upset when they lose because with the new features and added support, who knows if your kids may even beat you at your own game!

Orchid Bowl @ SAFRA Punggol
Address: 9 Sentul Crescent #05-03, S828654
Opening Hours: Sun-Thurs 10am-1am, Fri & Sat 10am-3am

(Header Image Credits: twincityfamilyfuncenter.com, words by editor)

Also, read 13 Best Things To Do In Punggol That Show Punggol Is Not Boring At All!

Impossibru! Travel From Singapore To The Rest Of Southeast Asia BY TRAIN!

We have come a long way since the first aeroplane was invented, and today, scooting off to a random destination is relatively easy if you have the funds. But if you are in dire need of a holiday, one that allows you to fall in love with changing backdrops and a slow-paced itinerary, hop on a train adventure this year!

Whether you’re a first-time train hopper or a seasoned choo-choo enthusiast, check out our list of five destinations you can visit via old school trains, from the nearest to the further. And if you’re feeling brave and a little adventurous, how about taking a train adventure to each location, one after another?

Train to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

If you’ve never been on a train (the MRT doesn’t count), this may be the best way for you to experiment with something easy, instead of an itinerary too complex and arduous. Think of it as baby steps.

From Singapore, you can buy a train ticket to Kuala Lumpur at the Woodlands Train Checkpoint for around $10 (second class seat), $12.50 (2nd class sleeper), or $40 (1st class deluxe sleeper) depending on how luxurious you want your seven-hour journey to be. You can purchase tickets at the counter or

You can purchase tickets at the counter or online.

Attractions:

Petronas Towers
Address: Wilayah Persekwutuan, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Operating Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM daily

Batu Caves
Address: Batu Caves, Sri Subramaniam Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park
Address: 3, Jalan PJS 11/11, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, 46150, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 46150, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3-5635 8000
Operating Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM daily

Also, read [KL] 14 Die Die Must Try Food & Places To Go!

Train to Butterworth @ Penang, Malaysia

From Kuala Lumpur, you can buy a train ticket to Butterworth in Malaysia, an idyllic town in Penang. There are two train journeys you can choose, which would take around 6.5 hours to 9 hours respectively. The fare should range from $11 to $28.

You might also wonder: there are so many places to take a train to from Kuala Lumpur, why Butterworth? Well, think of Butterworth as a layover destination, one where you can take a breather and chill out before heading on the next train to… Bangkok!

You can purchase tickets at the counter or online.

Attractions:

Penang Bird Park
Address: Taman Burung Seberang Jaya, Jalan Todak, Seberang Jaya, 13700, Perai, Pulau Pinang, 13700, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-399 1899
Operating Hours: 9 AM – 7 PM daily

Taman Selat Rope Walk
Address: Jalan Selat, Taman Selat, 12000 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Tow Boo Kong Temple Butterworth
Address: 894 & 896, MK14, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-331 8717

Train to Bangkok, Thailand

That’s right! Did you know that you could visit Bangkok from Singapore by train?

From Butterworth, you can take a train ride of almost 20 hours to Bangkok’s Hualumphong Station for around $40 (adult ticket). Out of the three train rides mentioned for this train adventure, this is probably the one you would write home most about.

One of my favourite things about this particular train adventure is how whenever the train pulls up into the station, you’ll be greeted by men and women on the platform hawking hot food and drinks from porridge to a packet of nuts, and if you wanted something, you’d just pay for it over your train window.

Bangkok, of course, is almost every Singaporean’s favourite Asian city for nightlife, cheap food and shopping. Don’t forget to stop by weekend markets by Chatuchak and visit the local attractions, from the Grand Palace to the various art and history museums.

For this trip, you will have to buy your tickets in person or through a travel agent. That is because the train is operated by the State Railways of Thailand, and will not be available for reservations on the official KTM website.

Attractions:

Chatuchak Weekend Market
Address: 587/10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Grand Palace
Address: Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 623 5500
Operating Hours: 8.30 AM – 3.30 PM daily

Dusit Zoo
Address: IBT No.71,Rama 5 Road,Dusit 10300, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 281 2000
Operating Hours: 8 AM – 6 PM daily

Train to Chiang Mai, Thailand

Located in the North of Thailand, Chiang Mai is great for nature lovers and those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle that is city life. You can visit Chiang Mai via a train from Bangkok; head over to Hua Lumphong Station and get yourself an overnight train ticket to Chiang Mai for around $9 to $40 — prices vary according to the level of comfort you’re willing to part with.

You can also get a sizable Thai dinner on the train itself in another cabin, which will make you feel like you’re in a Wes Anderson movie. Do take note that Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains are seriously popular among locals and tourists, so try to get your tickets well in advance.

Tickets will only be available in person at the counter or through a travel agent.

Attractions:

Doi Suthep
Address: Doi Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Chiang Mai Night Safari
Address: 33 Moo 12, Hang Dong District, 50230, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 53-999-000
Operating Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM daily

Chiang Mai National Museum
Tel: +66 53 221 308
Operating Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM, Wednesday to Sunday

Train to Hua Hin, Thailand

Only four hours from Bangkok by train, Hua Hin has always been a popular choice for Thais when it comes to quiet family vacations, which means you’ll probably not have to hassle yourself with booze-spilling tourists with bad beach etiquette.

Say hello to some good ol’ R&R with the Sun and your buns with this short train ride that won’t cost you much either. Like how you would go to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, head over to Hua Lumphong Station to take a train to Hua Hin, passing by the smaller and EVEN quieter Cha Am. Tickets can cost anywhere upwards of $1.50 or so, going up to $15.

Tickets will only be available in person at the counter or through a travel agent.

Attractions:

Hua Hin Night Market
Address: Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, Thailand
Operating Hours: 6 PM – 11 PM daily

Black Mountain Water Park
Address: 1, Khao Hin Lek Fai 2, หินเหล็กไฟ, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand
Tel: +66 32 618 444
Operating Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM daily

Phraya Nakhon Cave
Address: Kui Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand
Tel: +66 89 782 6002

Don’t stop there! There are many destinations from Hanoi to Moscow to London you can visit by train if you have the time and money, although they will all require you to switch to a bus journey at some point. Like American author Marianne Wiggins said, “…what thrills me about trains is not their size or their equipment but the fact that they are moving, that they embody a connection between unseen places.” Start planning for a train adventure today!

(header credit by @nitisa1989, words by author)

Also, read Need A Break? Plan Your Staycay With These 9 Newly Opened Hotels!

A Teppanyaki Dinner That Hits All The Right Spots – Teppan Bar Q

Part of a chain of restaurants by the Ishida Kikaku Group, originating from Hakata city in Kyushu, Japan, Teppan Bar Q is the group’s second restaurant in Singapore. This newly opened restaurant is set in the hip and stylish Robertson Quay area.

The founder, Mr Kyota Ishida, also known as Mr K, promotes the taste of Hakata in all his dining ventures. Mr K has been in the industry since he was sixteen when he started working in a French restaurant. His passion for bringing a sense of excitement and discovery to customers through food has led him to open various restaurants around Japan, and now, Singapore.

Teppan Bar Q

Teppan Bar Q is a contemporary teppanyaki restaurant that offers Spanish Tapas with a creative twist. This cosy and inviting diner seats 21 pax around the counter. Indoor and outdoor seatings are available for drinks and light bites. You can also pair a wide selection of wine from Spain to Japan, private-label sakes, fruit liqueurs, cocktail, and beers,  with its dishes.

Roasted Hakata Mentai

One of Hakata region’s speciality is their Roasted Hakata Mentai ($12.90) – marinated roe of Pollock and Cod, specially flown in from Hakata. The roe is sliced into small nuggets, gently roasted on its grill, and topped with capsicum, chilli flakes.

We found this dish a little too savoury for our taste buds. However, it paired well with sake for a full bodied flavour.

Octopus Galician Style

This is an interesting combination – octopus on potatoes ($13.90). The octopus is well-cooked and seasoned to perfection. Topped with paprika powder, olive oil and spring onions on a bed of soft potatoes, this dish tantalised the taste buds. The dish was delightful – tangy, slightly peppery, and just the right amount of savoury.

Foie Gras with Daikon

The Foie Gras with Daikon ($26.80) is our favourite dish and totally stole the limelight. This dish is chef Kyota’s signature Mediterranean-inspired dish. After grilling to perfection, the foie gras is set to rest for 2 minutes. This makes it more juicy and tender.

The smooth and rich foie gras melted in my mouth. The daikon (white radish), soaked in dashi broth, was heavenly. It oozed with unami and dashi and left me wanting more. This is a truly unforgettable dish.

Tonpei Yaki with Rice Cake & Cheese

One of Teppan Bar Q’s must-haves is definitely their Tonpei Yaki with Rice Cake and Cheese ($25.90). The Tonpei Yaki is a thin batter layered with finely chopped cabbage with slivers of pork, egg, and white sauce. The white sauce is a secret mixture of mountain yam paste and mayonnaise. The restaurant’s mayonnaise is homemade with plum-infused soymilk – a healthier choice. Also, good quality eggs from Okinawa are used for this dish. What’s also special is that this dish is served on special earthenware plates. These plates have an infrared effect that draws out the taste of the ingredients evenly. Definitely a must-try dish!

US Ribeye Angus Steak

The US Angus Ribeye Steak ($58.90 for 200g) was cooked to perfection. It was not tough at all and was juicy and tender. Choose from three accompanying sauces – sesame sauce, soy sauce with wasabi, and garlic ginger onion sauce. Out of all the sauces, we felt that the sesame sauce added a punch to the flavour of the beef. If you want to enjoy the natural flavour of the beef, simply opt for the soy sauce with wasabi.

Garlic Fried Rice

A good garlic fried rice consists of loads of garlic fried to a delectable aroma with eggs and rice. This garlic fried rice ($12.90) totally nailed it! On top of all these goodness, the chef added in a fatty portion of the steak from our previous dish which gave our fried rice a surprise burst of flavour for each bite.

Vanilla Ice Cream Kinako

To wrap up your dinner, try their Vanilla Ice Cream Kinako ($6.90). The ice cream is made from kinako – roasted soybean paste which is a healthy option for diners. A brown sugar syrup at the bottom provides a sweet finish to the dessert.

All in all, we love how quaint and cosy this little restaurant bar is. If you’re looking to unwind with friends or would like to have a family gathering in an intimate casual setting, we definitely recommend visiting Teppan Bar Q!

Do note that the servings seen in the pictures are in mini portions as this was an invited food tasting. Besides the ala carte dishes, Teppan Bar Q also offers a set course menu from $60.

In Singapore, Teppanyaki is either found at food courts or at the high-end restaurants. Teppan Bar Q fills the mid-range gap. To find this restaurant, walk along Muhammad Sultan Road instead of Unity Street.

This was an invited food tasting session.

(All photos are taken by the writer)

Teppan Bar Q
11 Unity Street, #01-21/22 Robertson Walk, Singapore 237995
Tel: 65 6235 0629
Opening Hours: Daily, 6pm – 12am

Also, read Decadent Yet Light Cakes You’ll Love – Waku Ghin @ Marina Bay Sands

The Singaporean Bucket List – 10 Challenges You Die Die Must Complete

Boy does time fly. With half of the year now gone, it’s time to do possibly to a mini reflection, to ask if you’ve done anything worthy of a #throwback post for your future social media feeds. Oh the troubles of millennials, are we right?

Seriously, though, if you’re looking to create worthy memories you can churn into bar talk, here’s a bucket list of 10 challenges to complete before the year ends.

1. Go On  A Solo Bike Trip

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You’ve heard about all the good things about Pulau Ubin. How about taking things up a notch and experiencing them through a solo bike tour? Rental bike shops are aplenty on the island and once you’re good to go, cycle along the dedicated cycling track into the wetlands and see for yourself the beauty of the island.

The off-road track (especially the uphill climb) might get a little tough for the inexperienced cyclists but trust us, the scenery is worth all the effort. A little tip from us: check out the 2. Re-Visit Haw Par Villa

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Got your A game on? Stand a chance to walk away with a bucket of St. Miguel/St. Miguel light. Not available on Mondays? Molly Malone’s Quiz Night
Day/Time: Mondays / 7:30pm
Address: 56 Circular Rd, Singapore 049411
Contact number: +65 6536 2029

5. Take Up The Escape Room Challenge

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Think you’re the next Sherlock Holmes? Then it’s time to recruit your friends and take on an Escape Room challenge! The game objective is too simple: solve the puzzles and escape from a locked room within a given time. The difficulty levels and themes vary according to the type or rooms you pick.

We’re pretty blessed to have a variety of escape games available here in Singapore-,

6. Beach Hop At Sentosa

Do check out our Beach Guide before if you’re intending on planning a beach day out!

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7. Hunt The Haunted

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This is obviously not for the faint-hearted. You’ve probably heard of the Old Changi Hospital, but have you tried exploring the abandoned Fort Serapong,  and Old Tanglin Camp?

Whilst you’re at it, strap on a camera, film your adventure and make your very own ‘True Singapore Ghost Stories’. But remember, safety is of utmost importance and try to be respectful when visiting these places.

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8. Try All Salted Egg Yolk Dishes

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One of the biggest food trend in Singapore this 2016 has got to be having the salted egg yolk in every dish. There is the  Xiao Long Bao, Croissants, molten Cheese Tarts, Lava Toast, Onion Rings, Ice cream, Prata and also the super addictive someone-stop-us-from-eating-more Salted Egg Yolk Chips.

How many of these have you ticked off from your gourmet list? We’re not sure if Salted Egg Yolk is here to stay but be sure to try everything whilst the fad lasts. Do try to space out your dishes as y’know, high cholesterol.

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9. Volunteer For A Cause

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Let’s be honest. When was the last time you did something without expecting any returns? (and we’re not talking about mandatory volunteer work that you had to do to earn CIP hours). So take this time to do something good this year and volunteer at one of our many volunteer organisations!

If you’re more of an animal person, check out . All in for gender equality? Sign yourself up at Volunteer Guide for a thorough list of organisations where you can contribute to.

10. Bungy Jump

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Doesn’t matter if AJ Hackett Sentosa has yet to open but according to their For those who are not too fond of free falling, there is also the Vertical Skywalk (used by Navy Seals, The Army and Hollywood), Skybridge and Giant Swings (swing side by side reaching 120km/hr) to keep your adrenalin going.  Do follow their Facebook page for the latest updates.

Did our list get you all fired up? Do tell us how many challenges you managed to tick off the list!

(Header image by AJ Hackett, words by editor)

Also read: It’s Now Or Never – Snag These 8 Best Lifestyle Deals This GSS

Bitter or Sweet? Guide To Identifying Your Favourite Durian Types

The king of fruits’ season is here again. Every year, between June and August, is the best time to savour durians. However this year, after a prolonged dry spell, the peak season is delayed. Durian season this year could be later and longer as flowers are still blooming.

Nonetheless, you’ll still need to know how to choose the best durians before buying them. Believe it or not, there are more than 400 types of durians! Whether you like it sweet or bitter, we’ve got it all covered. Read on for our guide to identifying the best durian types.

1. Mao Shan Wang

There’s no doubt that all durian lovers love the Mao Shan Wang. Here’re some tips when choosing a Mao Shan Wang (also known as Cat Mountain King). Look for these distinct features altogether in one durian.

Mao Shan Wang
Flesh colour: Bright royal yellow in colour
Flavour: Bittersweet, creamy, sticky. In the same durian, flesh could be bitter and/or sweet.
Thorns: V-shaped/pointed thorns
Crown: Thorns tend to converge at the base of the stem, forming a bald brownish ring around the stem
Shape: Oval 
Base: Brownish five-pointed star. A little bald.

2. Musang King

Musang King is currently regarded as the best durian in Malaysia. It’s the most sought after, desired and expensive of all durian varieties. It sells for more than twice the price of an above-average durian. To avoid being conned by unscrupulous durian vendors trying to sell you an average durian as the Musang King, here are some features you must not miss.

Musang King
Shell: Yellow-brown to camo-green to tinged with purple
Flavour: Sweet, rich, and creamy, like a toasted marshmallow
Thorns: Rather inconsistent. Either very far apart or close together, could be as thin as a needle, or rather pyramidical.
Crown: Smooth and brownish gap between the stem and thorns.
Shape: Bean-like, like a kidney or egg
Stem: Longer than other durian types 
Base: Brownish five-pointed star. Balder, broader and more pronounced than the Mao Shan Wang.

3. Golden Phoenix 

The Golden Phoenix, also know as Jin Feng, is a pale-coloured durian type with very soft and wet flesh. More affordable than Mao Shan Wang, it is small in size and is very fleshy with tiny seeds and thin husk. The taste of the Golden Phoenix is sweet, bitter, creamy and slightly less pungent than the Mao Shan Wang. It’s considered a ‘value for money’ durian type as you get a good amount of tasty flesh at an affordable price.

Golden Phoenix
Shell: Light green to greyish brown
Flavour: Bittersweet with a more watery texture
Thorns: Skinny and sharp
Shape:  Roundish and oval
Base: Tiny almost non-existent base formed by thorns converging towards the base, forming a tip.

4. XO

If you like your durian strong and bitter, the XO is not to be missed. The XO durian is bitter with its famed alcohol taste – cultivated through an extended period of fermentation inside its shell. Its fruit is usually smaller and the husk is identified by its thin and brownish-green colour. Another point to look out for is its watery thick flesh.

XO
Shell: Thin and brownish green in colour
Flesh colour: Very pale yellow
Flavour: Watery thick flesh, bitter with alcohol aftertaste
Shape:  Roundish, oval, or even starfruit-shaped
Base: Centre depression with thorns pointing inwards

5. D24

D24 is one of the more popular durian varieties. Its flesh tends to be pale yellow and tastes creamy and bitter. As D24 is a popular durian type that is widely cultivated, there are several grades and even sub-categories.

D24
Shells: Homogeneous green/ greenish-yellow
Thorns: Tend to cluster together
Flavour: Neither overly sweet nor bitter, great starter durian for newbies
Flesh: Thick and creamy 
Stem: Relatively short stem with small brown ring around it

6. Red Prawn

If you like sweet durian, Red Prawn (also known as Ang Hei or Udang Merah in Malay) is the right one for you. Its texture is beautifully creamy but often a bit too watery. This durian has a fruity sweet taste. Some varieties have tiny seeds, others have large ones. The red prawn durian shells are thick and hard to open. Though the durian looks large, there may not be a lot of fruit, as the core of the durian is wide.

Red Prawn
Shell:Dusky Brown
Shape: Oval with a wider middle
Flavour: Sticky with sweet aftertaste
Thorns: Short and very widely spaced

7. Black Thorn

Black Thorn durians are the most prized durians of all – more expensive than Musang King. The flesh of the Black Thorn is nearly fiberless and has a bright orange colour.

Black Thorn
Shell: Grey-green
Shape: Round and small
Bottom: Bald bottom with a dark brown spot
Stem: Stubby, short stem
Flavour: Sweet with a bitter after taste
Flesh: Rich, creamy, fiberless, and sticky. Dark orange with reddish hue.

How can we resist these durians? After researching and going through this list, we’re having serious hunger pangs and cravings for durian! It’s time to hunt down the king of fruits and satisfy those cravings!

(Header image by Flickr, edited by writer)

Also, read Durian Lovers! The Best 5 Spots To Enjoy Your Favourite Fruit

[GIVEAWAY] HOTEL – Checking In To The Epic Play Of The SG Story

For the artsy fartsy, we’re pretty sure you’ll know by now that the My Mother Buys Condoms
Credit: ELLE[/caption]

Started in 2006, the STF is presented by local theatre company , a cheeky story about a 63-year-old retired school teacher who falls for an air-con repairman whilst teaching him to read and HOTEL by W!LD RICE[/caption]

STF will also be bringing back the wildly popular In anticipation of the STF, we’ve managed to speak to some of the cast and playwrights of Hotel, to find out more about this immersive and multi-generation epic play. Read as we speak to playwright Marcia Vanderstraaten, director Glen Goei and cast Ghafir Akbar and Brendon Fernandez to get behind-the-scenes of Hotel!

A little background on the cast and crew before we begin:

Co-Playwright – Marcia Vanderstraaten

With a background in theatre studies, Marcia is one of the playwrights of Hotel. She is the writer of the end of Part One and 1985, 1995 and 2005 segments of Part Two.

Co-Director – Glen Goei

[caption id="attachment_9868" align="alignnone" width="622"] Credits: W!LD RICE[/caption]

One of Singapore’s leading theatre directors, Glen’s body of works includes film, theatre and musicals. As the Associate Artistic Director of W!LD RICE, Glen’s hits include Hotel, The Importance of Being Earnest and Emily of Emerald Hill.

Cast – Ghafir Akbar

[caption id="attachment_9869" align="alignnone" width="622"] Credits: W!LD RICE[/caption]

A Malaysian actor, Ghafir first made his debut at W!LD RICE in Public Enemy. Ghafir is also one of the leading cast in Hotel.

Cast – Brendon Fernandez

[caption id="attachment_9871" align="alignnone" width="954"] Credits: Style-canvas[/caption]

A familiar face in both the theatre and television scene, Brendon’s theatric works include The Optic Trilogy, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Romeo & Juliet.

1. How did you become a writer/director/actor?

MV: I have an overactive imagination and an obsessive love for telling stories. Somewhere in between, I am also deeply fond of the English language. I suppose a slow-cooker combination of the three has resulted in me not wanting to do anything else!

GG: My teacher in Primary 6, Mrs Eunice Sim arrowed me to direct the school mid-term production and I have been directing for 42 years ever since!

BF: I took an A-level in Theatre Studies & Drama at Victoria Junior College and fell in love with acting. I’ve been doing it ever since.

2. What are the inspirations behind Hotel?

MV: I think one of the biggest motivations was actually the SG50 celebrations. We were observing the main narrative being presented to the world (the usual “Singapore used to be a fishing village” history) and we were thinking surely there are other stories that are not being told, other parts of our history that need to be made known to people in order for us to have a fuller sense of where we came from and who we’ve become.

GG: My theatre education included watching Peter Brook and Robert LePage’s epics. I always wanted the opportunity to create one of my own.

3. What is the biggest challenge in writing/directing/acting in the play?

MV: The biggest challenge personally was rewriting pages as the actors were also rehearsing – we couldn’t take as much time as we might have taken otherwise because the actors needed to rehearse quickly.

GG: We threw 13 wonderful actors, 2 writers, 2 directors and a team of stage managers into a room over the course of a full year and just improvised without a single page of writing.  The challenge eventually became the factor of satisfaction.

GA: The process was truly collaborative between the actors, the writers, and the directors to create the play. The challenge was to encapsulate the complexity and fullness of these characters in the short scenes that they appear in.

4. We love putting people in a spot so name your favourite character in Hotel!

MV: I have two favourites – Mr Matsuda and Sharifah (her older self, in the later part of the play). I can’t explain why without giving the story away, but it’s safe to say that I am very moved by the relationship between them.

GG: It is the character of the P Ramlee fan in 1955 which reappears in 2005 played by Siti Khalijah. The two scenes couldn’t be more different and the character encapsulates the mood and changes throughout the decades.

GA: This is a really difficult question – I feel this would equate to choosing a favourite child! I would say that minor characters often reveal just as interesting a life as the major roles, and Hotel really does show you that even a supporting character carry a significant weight in the story. I would encourage our audiences to pay attention to what these characters are sharing with you as well. (no choosing sides for Ghafir then!)

5. Summarize Hotel in less than six words

MV: History you should have studied.

GG: A rollercoaster ride through Singapore’s history.

BF: Made for us, by us. Epic.

GA: 100 years: hotel walls finally talk.

6. What’s your all-time favourite locally written play?

MV: The Book of Living and Dying by Chong Tze Chien. I watched that every day it was performed in 2013; it’s such a deeply layered text and so masterfully crafted a production that every time I watched it I learnt something new.

GG: It is a close tie between Stella Kon’s Emily of Emerald and Alfian Sa’at’s Nadirah.

BF: That’s easy: Hotel! (we totally saw this coming)

7. What advice would you give to budding writers/directors/actors?

MV: Read as much as you can, watch as much as you can, and don’t wait for someone to give you a reason to write (amen to that!)

GG: Be interested and curious! About everything!

BF: Try something else first. Work a job that has regular hours, opportunities for promotion, annual bonuses and CPF. After a year, if you’re still willing to give all that up to be an actor, then you’ll know that acting is for you.

GA: Always do your homework and always come to rehearsal prepared. In between that, watch as much plays/dance/concerts/exhibitions/art as you can.

Besides being an epic play itself, Hotel was also a sell-out at last year’s Singapore International Festival of Arts and has racked up seven nominations at the 2016 M1-The Straits Times Life Theatre Awards.

Can’t wait to catch Hotel now that you’ve heard from its cast and crew? Here’s your chance to be one of the first few to catch the play by

Winning a pair of tickets to an exclusive performance on 3^rd July 2016!

Simply LIKE and SHARE this post on Facebook to stand a chance to win a pair of tickets to Hotel by 29^th June 2016! Yes, it’s that simple! Do note that play will be a whole day affair so do keep the day free!

This article is awesomely brought to you by DiscoverSG X Singapore Theatre Festival.

(Header image by W!ILD RICE)

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