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The Singapore Arts Festival, which aims to shape and develop the artistic and cultural landscape of Singapore, is back with a notable line-up of performances from internationally acclaimed artists.
From 23 May to 22 June, this national arts event will offer traditional, contemporary and experimental productions in various genres to cater to the varied palate of arts-loving Singaporeans.
According to Singapore Arts Festival Director Goh Ching Lee, one of the thematic threads running in this year's festival is the notion of 'Ancient Moderns' where history and old cultures are brought back to the present in a contemporary form.
Most of the pieces in the festival are language neutral, with the exception of a production by Bosnian director Haris Pašović. "Class Enemy", which will be performed in Bosnian with English subtitles, is a re-adaptation of a work that was created in the 1980s, set in present-day Sarajevo.
Other core programmes in the festival include Asian and World premieres such as "All the Wrong Reasons" by Victoria – a Belgium production platform for experimental theatre – and "Awakening", a lyrical and dramatic concert by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, UK’s Musicians of the Globe and TheatreWorks' Ong Keng Sen.
There are also several commissioned pieces by Singapore production groups. One of the interesting works is "The King Lear Project: A Trilogy" where visual artist and filmmaker, Ho Tzu Nyen, takes the audiences through the dramatisation of the processes of audition, rehearsal and post-show discussion on William Shakespeare’s "King Lear".
At the same time, fans of another trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings", should make a huge marking on their calendars on either 5 or 6 June to attend "The Lord of the Rings Symphony: Six Movements for Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists". Besides re-experiencing the fantasy film's majestic grandeur through its Oscar-winning tunes, audiences will also be delighted with the projections of original illustrations and storyboard sketches of Tolkien art in this cinematic concert.
For parents who are eager to hone the artistic senses of their tiny tots, interactive theatre performances for children and workshops that expose the young ones to percussion music, storytelling and miming are also available.
And in keeping with its aim of bringing arts to the masses, the festival's outreach programme – 'Arts on the Move' – has arranged for activities to be held across the island in over 20 locations. These activities include a dance competition in an open field in Pasir Ris, a Cantonese opera showcase at Kreta Ayer People's Theatre and a visual arts exhibition at Mount Sophia.
Besides the usual free performances in shopping malls and MRT stations, the organising committee of the festival has also decided to introduce four hawker centres in the list of community arts venues this year. Under 'Arts Where We Eat', festival activities will be held over the weekends at Tiong Bahru Market, Newton Food Centre, East Coast Lagoon Food Village and Tampines Round Market and Food Centre.
In another unprecedented move, the Singapore Arts Festival has teamed up with PUB to organise a Water Wonders series for the opening and closing celebrations of the annual arts event.
One of the large-scale shows is "Water Fools" by France's Ilotopie – to be held from 23 to 25 May at Boat Quay – and the other is "Hydro Sapiens" by The Lunatics from the Netherlands. The latter will be held from 20 to 22 June at Bedok Reservoir. Both shows are free and open to the public.
More information about the Singapore Arts Festival 2008 programmes and ticket sales is available online at www.singaporeartsfest.com.
- It should be noted that for Singapore Dance Theatre's triple bill, "Continuum", David Dawson's "The Grey Area" will be replaced with another of his works, "A Million Kisses to My Skin" – a post-classical dance that visualises the baroque-style patterns of Bach's Piano Concerto No 1.
- Due to changes in tour schedule, Canadian La La La Human Steps' Asian Premiere of "Amjad" will be performed on 20 and 21 June, instead of 6 and 7 June. To minimise inconvenience, patrons can use their original tickets for admission to performances on 20 and 21 June, with no change to their seats. For example, patron with a 6 June ticket can attend the show on 20 June.
Patrons who are unable to attend the performances can get their refunds at the SISTIC Box Office located at Singapore Indoor Stadium from 14 May to 20 May 2008. Refunds will be made through the original mode of payment and tickets are required to be presented at the SISTIC Box Office.
Refund hours are noon-8pm from Mondays to Saturdays; 1pm-7pm for Sundays and Public Holidays. For more information, patrons can call the SISTIC hotline at 6348 5555.
- CNA/so
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