How do you know when you’ve written a piece that’s good to go?
As a playwright, I willingly surrender a lot of creative control to my collaborators—the script is not complete until it goes into rehearsal, and the play is not complete until it meets the audience.

Do you believe fairy tales were made by mischievously witty folk?
No, I think fairy tales were dreamt up by oppressive adults who wanted to scare or lull children into submission. In the same way, there is a kind of fairy tale aspect to a lot of religious and nationalistic texts, and very little of it is witty or mischievous. The Merlion, for example, deserves its own fairy tale.

How did you come up with Jack and the Bean Sprout?
I wrote this year's script based on a treatment that Desmond Sim did for W!ld Rice in 2006, re-using most of his characters, but more or less rewriting everything else, including the songs. I came up with that over numerous cups of coffee.

How would you describe your own writing?
For this musical, I've had to shift into a frame of mind that I don't normally use for my other plays, so I'm not sure I can give a straight answer. I guess the one thing that's been carried over is my attention to the way people speak and a tendency to constantly undercut myself.  My writing is usually a lot less ‘cock’ than Jack, and I use ‘cock’ in a good way. 

What are some of the most poignant things you’ve learnt about theater?
That the stage is littered with agendas and egos. But at the same time, I've learnt that in the final consideration, it's all for the audience. It's very humbling. I think shows make it or break it depending on the attitude the theater-makers take towards audiences, how generous they allow themselves to be from the very beginning.

How much theatrical talent is out there in Singapore?
A lot, much of which becomes absorbed into the legal business, the corporate world and the civil service.

Jack and the Bean Sprout is now on till Dec 14 at The Drama Centre Theatre. Various timings. Tickets at $45-$70 from Sistic.

Are you a big fan of horror yourself? 
I love horror, and yes, despite performing in the most terrifying production, and knowing all the scare techniques, I’m still able to be scared. It’s all about investing yourself in the moment. If you allow your imagination to get involved, you’ll be scared.

What exactly is The Woman in Black about?
The Woman in Black is a spirit of a woman, that has an extremely malevolent influence on those around. A young man who has everything in front of him is sent to the old house, and encounters her. She has an extremely profound effect on his life, for the worse. That said, there is no 'baddie' in this story. In the end, you have so much empathy for The Woman in Black, because of her back story.

Are there any scare techniques used on stage but not in film?
I love horror films, but it’s a very different beast in theater. What theater relies on is your imagination, especially the way the whole play is set up, which is very simple, but very effective. Each audience member creates his own spooky house, his own horror story, whereas in film you can go and see the marsh, and walk around the house.

What’s your best memory in theater? 
For me, my best memories have been with The Woman in Black. I saw the play when I was 15 years old, and was so taken with it that I wrote to Robin Herford (the director) and Susan Hill (the novelist), asking to put it on at school. I think that was the first amateur production of the play, and I played the same role I do now. The reactions from the students were so incredible. Now, I’ve played the same role for half my life, and I just love how the reactions from the audiences are so extreme, every time.

The show's been around for so long now. What about it still excites you?
I’ve done more than 700 performances of this show, and Robin has lived with it for 25 years. Something that keeps people coming back to it, is the incredible relationship between the audience and the actors. It’s important in all theater, but is something this particular play does extremely successfully – it creates a bond that results is such great reaction.

Do you think the show still does justice to the original novella by Susan Hill?
Absolutely, it’s very, very close – in fact when the story is being told there is not a word that is not Susan.

Three words to describe The Woman in Black?
Hilarious, dramatic and terrifying.

The Woman in Black shows at the Kallang Theatre Dec 11-15. Tickets are $58-$128 from Sistic.

What experience did you have of training back in Newcastle? Any painful moments (physically, mentally, emotionally)?
It was a big change going from taking ballet class three or four times a week to doing it all day six days a week. Physically, it took a couple of months for all the aches and pains to work through. Sometimes it was quite scary because as a young dancer I didn't know how to take care of my body, or what to do when my body started to hurt. It wasn't just ballet technique I was learning, it was the whole lifestyle of being a dancer.

What's the best scene in The Nutcracker?
My favorite scene in the Nutcracker is the snow scene. The music is the most magical in the whole ballet, and indeed some of the best ballet music going around. The way it comes together with the choreography and scenery, and finally when the actual snowflakes fall from the sky, it really takes your breath away.

How do you stay on top of your game when it comes to dancing?
Stress is one of the most dangerous aspects of being a dancer. Dancing is always a very personal thing. You are your instrument and if you’re having a bad day or receive some criticism (constructive or otherwise), you feel it because it is you that's out there doing it. This leads to stress and when you're stressed your body simply doesn't work as well, and the cycle continues and then you end up injured. To combat the stress I think it is essential to do things, other than dance, in my down-time.

Diet also plays a big part in staying healthy and on top of your game. People always assume that dancers have to limit what they eat but the opposite is true. If you were exercising over 40 hours a week you wouldn't want to hold back.

What’s the most challenging dance genre?
It's difficult to separate which dance forms are easier than any other because it depends so much on the individual dancer. Different dance styles require the dancer to do different things and certain physiques are more suited to one style or another.

I do however think that classical ballet is certainly one of the hardest. It takes years to get to a level where you can be professional. I have been professional for over 10 years and I'm still trying to improve. It's the challenge that keeps me dancing. You can never be perfect but that is what we are all working for.

In your eyes, what’s the holy grail of dance?
It's successfully connecting with the audience and leaving them feeling like you have taken them on an unforgettable journey throughout the performance. There is a lot of communication between the dancer and the audience even though the audience may not be aware of it. We can tell from the stage whether the audience is with us as we are dancing. If they are, we perform better and the audience enjoys it even more—and so it keeps feeding on itself. It is really special when the audience and the dancers are both contributing and it is these moments that I find the most special.

The Nutcracker performs at The Esplanade Theatre from Dec 4-8 at various timings. Tickets at $30-$70 from Sistic.

How “Singaporean” is this musical revue?
Hossan Leong: Personally, I feel there's no need to find the "Singaporean" in this show because each song finds you. The audience will identify with each piece on a personal level, finding pieces of their lives in the lyrics. You can be from any country, any culture and still be part of this musical journey.
Robin Goh: Besides the fact that three of the cast members are Singaporean, not much. Of course, having Hossan Leong ups the Singaporean quotient considerably.

Are we similar to the French in any way?
HL: We love food. And if you speak Mandarin, we have similar vowel sounds.
RG: We are as alike as any human beings would be. We all have to eat.

Did you guys ever pick up the language?
HL: I started learning French back in 1988 because it was part of an electronics course that I was doing. Bizarre, right?
RG: I learned it in school, which is also pretty much where I left it.

What’s the biggest challenge doing the show?
HL: Trying not to make each other laugh.
RG: Being heard. The other three actors are very loud.

What do you like about French kissing?
HL: The emotion that's behind the kiss. It's very important. Otherwise, a kiss is just a kiss.
RG: It's wet. Enough said.

A French Kiss in Singapore is on Nov 27-Dec 8, 4pm, 8pm. School of the Arts Drama Theatre. $35-69 from Sistic.

Connected to the better-known island of Taipa by the glitzy Cotai strip (where the fights and the gambling all take place) is Coloane, a one-time pirate outpost that still sees far fewer visitors than the rest of Macau. So far, give or take the odd go-kart track, this charming island (which is actually bigger than Taipa) has resisted the aggressive development happening elsewhere in the territory. You don’t really need more than a day to see the sights, but it’s well worth a detour from the main tourist track. Here are five ways to make the most of your time there.

Eat local
In Coloane, food is the order of the day—you’ll find great Macanese dishes (a fusion of Chinese and Portuguese cuisine), like the African chicken and lacassa soup. For some premium Macanese grub, Restaurante Fernando (9 Praia de Hac Sa, Coloane, +853 2888-2531, www.fernando-restaurant.com) stands out with its fine European style décor and fantastic location (at Hac Sa Beach). Alternatively, check out the numerous al fresco dining spots at Coloane Village for something a little cheaper. The highlight? Undoubtedly Lord Stow’s Bakery (1 Rua Da Tassara, Coloane Town Square, +853 2888-2534, www.lordstow.com), the original creator of the internationally famous pastry, Portuguese egg tarts.

Get on your feet
Coloane village is the kind of quiet colonial leftover that rewards patient exploration on foot, with cobbled streets leading you to historic treasures such as the Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, built in 1928, and Tam Kung Temple. After exploring the alleys, head towards the drive that overlooks the small sea passage separating Macau and China for a stunning view. And don’t forget to pay a visit to Coloane Pier, where old huts stand beside shops selling dried seafood—reminiscent of the town’s past as an active fishing village.

Live life to the fore
You may have played golf on plenty of other courses around the world but, we suspect, none quite like this one. The acclaimed Ocean Driving Range at the Macau Golf and Country Club (Estrada de Hac Sa, IIha de Coloane, +853 2887-1188, www.mgccmacau.com) lets you take a swing into the South China Sea, with caddies standing by on boats ready to fish out the balls. You’d better be on top of your game here—you’ll be asked to leave if you don’t meet the time limit or achieve a score of nine shots or less on the first hole.

Hit the beaches
Both the southern and eastern shores of Coloane boast better beaches than you’ll find anywhere else in Macau. Cheoc-Van in the south is more popular due to its golden sand, water activities (if you fancy jet-skiing or sailing) and safer swimming facilities, but the easterly, black sand Hac Sa is equally well-suited to a lazy afternoon before gearing up for a big night back in Macau proper.

Bed down
It’s a little run-down these days, but the 28 room Pousada de Coloane (“pousada” is Portuguese for inn or guesthouse) is wonderfully evocative of bygone glories. Think blue and white tiled walls, antique wooden furnishings, home-style Portuguese food and great views of Cheoc-Van beach from the breakfast terrace. Rooms start from around $320. Praia de Cheoc-Van, +853 2888-2144, www.hotelpcoloane.com.mo.

Essentials

Where to stay
While it’s definitely worth spending a night at Pousada deColane, it’s not a great base for further exploration. Holiday Inn Sands Cotai Central (Senhora De Esperanzca S/N Taipa, Macau, www.ihg.com), right on the Cotai strip, with easy access to both peninsular Macau and Coloane, is as convenient as they come. Rooms start from $286.

Getting there
Direct flights with Tigerair (www.tigerair.com) start from around $136 and takes about four hours.

Exchange Rate
10 MOP = $1.60

Visa
Singaporeans traveling in and out of Chinese territories do not require a visa for up to 30 days.

My life is like a really good meal. 

If I had a twin, he would be my ghost producer. 

My superpower would be flying to see things from a different perspective. 

I hate the sound of guitars. 

My biggest blessing is having people listening to my music. 

The best thing about my job is having a baby-sitter to take me around every city. 

Friends and family are what makes home the best place on earth.

DJ Zimmer performs at The Powder Room on Dec 7 at 9pm. Free admission.