WHEN you're a new theatre company in Singapore, the pressure is on to make a good first impression. In the case of French Stage, it's banking on some much-loved Gallic theatre to make the local audience sit up and take notice.

REMEMBER the 1990s, when magic shows were all the rage? Illusionists like David Copperfield and Siegfried & Roy were met with marvel and awe, and ensemble magic TV specials such as The World's Greatest Magic were the highest-rated programmes in the world.

THERE are dances which tell stories, like classical ballet; modern dances which expound on usually abstract themes, and then those which make the dancers look like they're going through a highly intricate exercise routine.

FOR six years now, batches of architecture students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have been going to cities and small towns in Malaysia to map the architecture as part of their coursework.

ANG Ziqian is not your typical film investor. As the CEO of the oldest funeral services company in Singapore, one doesn't associate his line of work with the glitz and glamour of the movies. But that hasn't stopped the avid film buff from getting into the industry.

COLD WAR intrigue and the shadowy world of spies lie at the heart of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, a gripping new adaptation of the classic John le Carre novel about the effort of a weary spymaster to flush out a high-level mole in British Intelligence. A deliberate pace, nuanced performances by a top-notch cast and a director who - like the spy he depicts - plays his cards extremely close to the chest, all help to create superior entertainment for grown-ups.

DESPITE his brave biopics and epic historical dramas mobbing the Oscars in the past, Clint Eastwood's latest film J. Edgar was snubbed by the Academy this year when nominations were announced last month.

THE guitar has emerged as one of the world's great virtuoso instruments, thanks to classical practitioners as well as pop, rock and jazz cats.

MIDWAY through Paul Kelly's sold-out gig at the intimate Esplanade Recital studio on Wednesday evening, the Australian singer-songwriter remarked that one of first things he had when he landed the night before was chilli crabs.

THERE'S plenty to like about horror movies - unique special effects, camp humour - but it can be hard to enjoy those things if a film's too scary. That's why the best thing about Scream 4 is that, in spite of its name, it isn't particularly frightening.

COULD you drink Romanee Conti or Lafite every day? I would not mind giving it a try although I rather suspect that after some time, I might find it no longer excites. I would miss the excitement of variety from other wines, even lesser ones. Did someone not say, 'Variety is the spice of life'?

SCHOOLCHILDREN are being invited to cook for the queen as part of her Diamond Jubilee. Celebratory banquets and feasts have always been part of royal life, but what would they have involved in the past? What makes a dish fit for a queen? If past royal delicacies are anything to go by, then pretty much anything, including seagull, marigolds or peacock - with the skin and feathers put back on after cooking, of course.