Commentary

Diamonds, Drama, and Disappearing Acts

Reading Time: 5 minutes

A short (spoiler-free) review of Now You See Me, Now You Don’t

By Cherie Khoo (26S03B)

Now You See Me, Now You Don’t opens very much like its predecessors, to the Four Horsemen’s magic show. We come to understand that a decade has passed since the Horsemen last performed together, yet the details are fuzzy at best with no proper recount. First-time moviegoers will have a hard time understanding the plot. Directed by Jon M. Chu (of Crazy Rich Asians and Wicked fame), the film, 13 years after the second installation, is a far cry from the cinematic brilliance he previously orchestrated.

Through the lens of a film critic, this film is at best a snazzy, low-stakes rendition of a classic storyline. It is packaged in shiny fresh shrink-wrap like those on a deck of playing cards, not only flimsy but also a hassle to unwrap and a greater irritation to dispose of. But for the moviegoer, it’s exactly what is promised; a fun, magic-filled experience that only falls slightly shorter than expected. 

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Giving Plays A Second Chance: SWF 2025

Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Kunchur Bharat (26A01B)

Who says that plays can’t get more than one staging? Who says that stellar scripts should be barred from being refined further? 

It is with these questions in mind that playwright Jo Tan birthed Rewrite My Fire and ran it at the Singapore Writers’ Festival (SWF) 2025,  giving a second life to local plays after their first stagings. Raffles Press had the opportunity to cover a re-staging of Adib Kosnan’s 28.8, first staged in 2017 by Teater Kami. 

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CCA Previews ‘26: Indian Cultural Society 

Reading Time: 6 minutes

By Jai Kousalyan Balasubramanian (26S03A, President)

The Indian Cultural Society (ICS) is committed to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the richness of Indian culture with the school and wider community.

Through a variety of events, performances, and outreach initiatives, ICS provides students with opportunities to develop their talents, learn more about their heritage, and foster cross-cultural appreciation. Our activities range from large-scale cultural showcases and competitions to meaningful service opportunities, all designed to nurture creativity, teamwork, and community spirit.

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CCA Previews ‘26: Chamber Ensemble 

Reading Time: 3 minutes

By Chamber Ensemble EXCO ’26

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS IS OPEN  

Small group, big sound – welcome to the Chamber experience 

Chamber Ensemble is hardly considered your archetypal Performing Arts CCA. By most other CCAs, in fact, we seem devastatingly outnumbered.

Nevertheless, what we lack in numbers we make up for with our coruscating performances. Despite our ensemble’s small size, we make sure to bring to our audiences captivating renditions that are sure to tug on your heartstrings. 

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CCA Previews ’26: Raffles Debate

Reading Time: 3 minutes

By Dylan Chin (Vice-Chairperson ‘26)

Adapted from CCA Previews ‘25 

Picture this. You are about to begin the final speech of the match. You step up to the table, lay out your notes, ignore the uncanny resemblance to a solitaire board and concentrate—now is no time for second thoughts.

You begin speaking, slowly at first, but accelerating quickly. In a short 8 minutes, you’ve constructed a case that’s morally, logically and emotionally superior to your opponents’, you’ve criticised democracy, upheld the rights of minorities, and proved why love is morally unjustified. In other words, you’ve never been prouder to propose. 

Of course, that’s the ideal situation, and reality is often far faster and more frantic. Yet, if any part of this interests you, you may yet find your calling in Raffles Debaters. 

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