We talk to actress Cheryl Chitty Tan, who has appeared in musical Forbidden City and TV series Faculty.
She has been developing her craft since childhood
I was a shy kid, so my mum sent me to speech and drama classes when I was seven years old. I just never really stopped. I got my first professional theatre show when I was 15.
Her career in Singapore has hit plenty of highs
Playing Juliet in Shakespeare in the Park was lifechanging. I was in way over my head and [fellow actors] Thomas Pang and Jo Kukathas took me under their wing and spent a lot of time training me to be up to the task. I still failed a lot, but I have never grown so much in a production. Getting the Best Supporting Actress nomination for Forbidden City at the Life Theatre Awards was also very cool. I was also recently nominated for a Women of the Future Award, which is just incredible.
Why she’s doing this
After the initial excitement wears off and you’re faced with the realities of money and [dealing with] people, it can get pretty harsh. But my love of the craft and how stories can connect people and change lives is still there, thankfully. The true highlight is when people tell you they’ve been personally moved by the work. I played a psychologist with PTSD on Derek recently, and I got messages from people struggling with mental health thanking me for honestly and respectfully representing them. That kind of connection is life-giving.
She believes her weirdness is her strength
I’m really strange. I’ve always instinctively looked at things and thought: but why? A lot of systems are just stories we collectively believe, so why should I buy into them? Of course, there are consequences [if I don’t buy into them]; people really find me very weird. But my faith in my weirdness has helped me achieve a lot.
LOCAL LOVIN’
A bookstore dedicated to promoting Singaporean literature, Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop is a collaboration between independent publisher Epigram Books and coffee chain Huggs Coffee. The space is a haven for bookworms who crave a quiet reading spot that also offers a good cuppa. The best part? Local authors and artists regularly drop by to write, draw and chat with those interested to delve deeper into the local arts scene.
Secret Doors and Hidden Spaces
Hidden behind a fridge of an unassuming kopitiam at Circular Road lies speakeasy restaurant The Dragon Chamber. It’s newly revamped after shifting from its original location within Lokkee at Plaza Singapura, and the interior is inspired by old school secret society dens. Highlights from the menu include the Firecracker Chicken and Maple Fritters, Wagyu Truffle Beef Hor Fun, The Dragon Claw (an actual crocodile foot in braised herbal sauce!) and signature cocktails like Dragon Pale Ale and The Crazy Coconut.
Hidden restaurants in Singapore worth checking out.
All you need to see, eat, do and know this June.
GOURMET BURGERS
Local burger specialist WOLF Burgers has just introduced fresh additions to their menu, including two Premium Signature burgers: the 30-day Dry-Aged Beef Burger topped with chipotle mayonnaise, cheese and pickled onions; and King Salmon Burger with avocado and honey mustard. They’re now also serving Fortune “Fries” made with hand-cut mantou buns. Those craving for fusion food will love the new sliders, featuring Asian flavours like Hainanese Chicken, Sweet & Sour Fish and Rojak Beef all wrapped in a mantou bun. Dining with your pals? Go for the 3-Pack Sliders and Fries platter, consisting of three different proteins and a side of fries.
WE’RE ALL MAD HERE
Alice in Wonderland comes to life at the ArtScience Museum with the award-winning exhibition Wonderland, which runs from April 13 to September 22. Filled with interactive installations and immersive audiovisual artworks like the Hallway of Doors and A Mad Tea Party, the exhibition lets fans feel as if they’ve truly fallen down the rabbit hole. It also features over 300 artefacts and objects including costumes, drawings and films that show how the story has been brought to life by generations of artists and filmmakers.
BEER + RUNNING?
If you thought beer yoga was wacky, what about a beer run? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening on the first day of this year’s Beerfest Asia from June 27 to 30. Grab your beer buddies and go on a scenic 2.4km run around Marina Promenade while knocking down a few cold ones. You can also just kick back with a pint from hundreds of beer brands while catching live rock acts and DJ sets. Either way, you’re in for a boozy good time at the largest beer festival in Southeast Asia.
