SINGAPORE : Unfriendly, inaccessible, boring that's how this year's Singapore Arts Festival has been described by some supposedly loyal fans who have recently written to various newspapers, including TODAY.

Some are dismayed by the lack of world-famous classical orchestras or dance troupes.

Some are gnashing their teeth and wringing their hands at the avant-garde, experimental tack their beloved festival has taken through the years.

These fans, in my humble opinion, should take off their blinkers and grow up.

They think that the festival (courtesy of most of its ticketed events) has become too cheem (deep), but frankly, what's wrong with that?

I don't know about you, but I find satisfaction in being baffled, irritated, disgusted or just plain offended by these so-called avant-garde or experimental shows even those I can make neither head nor tail of.

Why do I subject myself to such purportedly impenetrable productions that some cynics may dismiss as sheer nonsense?

I do so because I find the prospect of entering a theatre or black box studio not knowing what to expect terribly exciting.

I may come out learning something new, or end up feeling like a complete idiot, but hey, at least I watched it.

And that's what bothers me about the critical feedback through the media. The festival hasn't even started yet, but some have already dismissed it for not showing what they want to see.

For the record, I'd just like to clarify that I'm in no way averse to traditional classical concerts or ballets, because they can be awe-inspiring.

But art doesn't always have to be as beautiful or magnificent as a 100-member symphony orchestra playing a Mozart concerto, or a Russian prima ballerina doing 32 fouettes en tournant.

It can be weird, ugly, disturbing or plain silly and you'll find plenty of this at the Singapore Arts Festival.

It's too early to tell exactly how good the performances will be for all we know, they may all suck but I'm willing to give the festival a chance, on its own terms.

Why? Because I want to be surprised.

What's that they say about thinking out of the box? Maybe this time, you should try stepping into one first.

Preferably a black box. - TODAY/ar