Tag: pop culture
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Theatre Review: Burlesque the Musical
Ever since 2010, when Christina Aguilera made her debut on the silver screen as Ali and Cher returned to it after a decade in the now cult classic musical film “Burlesque” as Tess, gays and girls have loved its camp kitschness. Now it’s been re-immortalised as a brand new musical,…
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30 21st Century Asian American films pushing the envelope on representation
For AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage Month, I look back at how far Asian/ESEA American representation on the big screen has improved substantially since the turn of the millennium. From “Better Luck Tomorrow” in 2002 to “Everything Everywhere All At Once” in 2022, from “Saving Face” in 2004 to…
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5 things the new Burlesque musical needs to give us
The iconic cult classic Christina Aguilera and Cher film “Burlesque” is soon to be a stage musical, premiering at Manchester’s Opera House in June 2024! But what do we want from it? Here’s 5 things at least…
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Book Review: Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
Sher Lee’s debut YA romcom novel “Fake Dates and Mooncakes” offers LGBTQ and ESEA representation as well as cultural education, whilst allowing fluffy escapism from reality. Read my full review here.
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Film Review: Pure Asian joy in “Joy Ride”
This might sound bias, but move over, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”, because “Joy Ride” is this year’s funny and fabulous film to watch about international Asian identities and self-discovery that let’s be honest, probably won’t be as successful just because its Asian-led.
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Asian representation vs. the Model Minority Myth and the media
ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) representation has slowly improved in the US over the years, but still needs major improvement in the UK. How can this be turned around so Model Minority and other stereotypical characters and storylines are challenged and avoided, giving ESEA talent and creatives the opportunities to…
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World Theatre Day: 18 musicals on Tan’s Topics – RANKED
If you follow me here at Tan’s Topics, you will know I am an avid theatre fan, especially musical theatre. For this year’s World Theatre Day (27th March annually), I have decided to rank all the musicals I have so far reviewed or mentioned in some capacity in this one…
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Book Review: “Boy Like Me” by Simon James Green
Renowned queer YA author Simon James Green’s latest and most personal novel “Boy Like Me” is a must-read for those who want a politically-charged and emotional story that highlights the realities of living through the Section 28 era.
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Theatre: “Mamma Mia!” Where is the diversity?
“Mamma Mia!” is one of the world’s most popular musicals, but it’s sadly also known as one of the least diverse when it comes to casting. How can this be turned around, following in the first steps of many other shows but also helping to change the world of the…
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Film Review: I Wanna Dance with Somebody
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” is the latest but probably not last biopic retelling the life of Whitney Houston, but it’s certainly perhaps one of the frankest and closest to the truths about her that we may get. If you’re a fan of the greatest singer of all time, this…
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