From intimate personal stories and bold international performances to dance, experimental theatre and conversations on activism, the 23rd edition of the Singapore Fringe Festival invites audiences to explore what it means to find a place in an increasingly divided world.
What does it really mean to belong? Is it about finding acceptance within a family, feeling connected to a community, or simply having a safe space where you can be yourself? These are some of the questions at the heart of the Singapore Fringe Festival 2027, which returns from 13 to 24 January 2027 with a compelling line-up of local and international performances, workshops and discussions centred on the theme of Belonging.
Once again organised and curated by Singapore’s homegrown theatre company The Necessary Stage, the festival enters its 23rd edition as an independent, crowdfunded event for the second consecutive year, made possible by the support of artists, audiences and the wider community.
This year’s programme features seven productions, alongside a workshop and showcase for emerging actors and a panel discussion examining the relationship between art and activism in Singapore. From stories of fractured relationships and marginalised identities to the realities of war, displacement and our growing dependence on artificial intelligence, Fringe 2027 brings together diverse artistic voices to examine the human desire for connection in an increasingly complex world.
At a time when communities are grappling with conflict, social inequality, technological disruption and environmental uncertainty, the theme of belonging feels particularly relevant. According to Melissa Lim, Executive Producer of the Singapore Fringe Festival and General Manager of The Necessary Stage, the desire to belong is fundamentally human. Yet, in a world where people increasingly feel disconnected, the search for meaningful relationships and communities has become more important than ever.
Through this year’s programme, the festival hopes to create space for conversations about identity, solidarity, acceptance and the courage to stand together. The selected works approach the theme from different perspectives, exploring everything from the breakdown of a marriage and the search for love in unfamiliar surroundings to the struggle for survival amid war and social exclusion. Whether through theatre, movement or dialogue, Fringe 2027 encourages audiences to look beyond their own experiences and consider the stories of those who may often be overlooked.
The festival’s seven productions span a range of theatrical styles and cultural perspectives, bringing together Singaporean and international artists for a programme that promises to challenge, move and entertain.
Best Of Us – The Necessary Stage (Singapore)
What happens when a marriage comes to an end, and two people are left with very different versions of the same relationship? Written and directed by Haresh Sharma, Best Of Us brings together two previously staged monologues, Best Of and Best Of (His Story), into one production. Starring Siti Khalijah Zainal and Fir Rahman, the play follows a Malay-Muslim couple navigating divorce, with each presenting their own perspective on the relationship. Beyond the breakdown of a marriage, the production examines the expectations placed on men and women, traditional values, individual identity and the ties that connect us to family and society.
WILMA – Porta Teatro (Mexico)
A devastating hurricane forces a young woman to confront a language she was never allowed to learn. In this autobiographical solo performance by Mexican theatre-maker Itzhel Razo, WILMA explores racism, classism and linguistic erasure through the story of a girl raised in a privileged household in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
Forbidden from learning the Mayan language as a child, she finds herself unable to understand emergency warnings broadcast in the very language that could help her survive a natural disaster. The powerful production examines how privilege and exclusion can become so deeply embedded in society that they are eventually accepted as normal.
Room – Birds Migrant Theatre (Singapore)
What does it mean to be heard and included in a society where certain communities are often left out of the conversation? Room marks the return of Birds Migrant Theatre with an ambitious collaboration between Singapore’s migrant worker and Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing communities.
Drawing on verbatim interviews and personal experiences, this theatre production explores the idea of belonging through the perspectives of two communities that are frequently excluded from mainstream society. Particularly noteworthy is its accessibility offering: Room will be the first Singapore Fringe Festival production presented fully with Singapore Sign Language interpretation and open English captions for all performances.
From the Trembling World – Poong Deong (South Korea)
Imagine a world where sinkholes are swallowing entire streets, homes and cities, while the rest of the country turns to a mysterious deity for salvation. In From the Trembling World, South Korean collective Poong Deong presents a surreal tale of survival and isolation. As the world around her collapses, a woman retreats into a fortress built from debris, seeking refuge from the unfolding catastrophe.
Her only companion is Bongpal, a conversational artificial intelligence that becomes her closest friend. Blending dystopian storytelling with questions about technology, loneliness and human connection, the production offers a timely reflection on what happens when our search for companionship increasingly extends beyond human relationships.
Jamil Sekadar Nama (Jamil is Just a Name) – Ali Mazrin (Singapore)
In his debut as a playwright, Singaporean theatre-maker Ali Mazrin presents a deeply personal exploration of mortality, memory and the legacy we leave behind. Jamil Sekadar Nama takes audiences into the final days of a man confined within four walls, where memories and regrets begin to surface. Accompanied by a mysterious figure, Jamil reflects on love, loss and the choices that have shaped his life. Written and directed by Ali Mazrin, and performed by Al-Matin Yatim and Rizal Aiman, the production asks what it means to belong to a family and community when time is running out.
Second Class Queer – Kumar Muniandy (Germany and Malaysia)
Set against the backdrop of a gay speed-dating event in Berlin, Second Class Queer follows Krishna, an Indian Malaysian man navigating five encounters in the hope of finding love.But beneath the awkward introductions and romantic possibilities lie deeper questions about identity, race, class and acceptance.
Created and performed by Kumar Muniandy, this funny yet emotionally affecting solo performance examines the intersection of multiple marginalised identities, confronting racism, xenophobia, colourism and the complexities of being queer and Tamil in unfamiliar surroundings. Part love letter to the queer Tamil community and part personal journey towards healing, the production explores what it means to find acceptance and a sense of home far away from home.
Under the Flesh – Bassam Abou Diab (Lebanon)
How does the body respond when faced with the threat of death? Lebanese choreographer and performer Bassam Abou Diab explores this question through Under the Flesh, a striking dance performance shaped by his experience of surviving four wars.
Using movement inspired by dabke, a traditional Levantine folk dance, Abou Diab transforms the body into an instrument of resistance. Through physical expression, dark humour and powerful choreography, he explores how people continue to endure and find ways to survive even amid violence and destruction. Rather than allowing the body to become a symbol of fear and helplessness, the performance presents dance as an act of defiance and a means of reclaiming one’s existence.
Alongside its theatrical productions, Fringe 2027 offers opportunities for audiences and aspiring artists to engage more deeply with the festival’s central theme. For those looking to explore theatre-making, The Necessary Stage is introducing a seven-session workshop led by its Artistic Director and celebrated playwright Haresh Sharma.
Designed for actors who are starting out in the theatre scene, the workshop introduces participants to the company’s distinctive devising methodology, which involves creating characters through improvisation, developing scenes and building narratives collaboratively. Participants will work together to create original material inspired by the theme of belonging, culminating in a public showcase of their works-in-progress.
Activism and Art in Singapore: Muted or Revitalised?
The festival will also host an afternoon panel discussion examining the relationship between artistic expression and activism in Singapore. Featuring Bani Haykal, Dayana Noor, Kirsten Han and Kristian-Marc Paul, with Sudhir Vadaketh as moderator, the discussion will explore how artists and activists engage with pressing social issues in a climate where public expression and civil society activities face various restrictions.
Topics will include the role of art in addressing issues such as disability rights, genocide, migrant welfare and biodiversity loss, as well as how artists and activists can support one another in creating meaningful public conversations.
Whether you’re interested in thought-provoking local theatre, experimental international performances or conversations about the issues shaping our society, there’s plenty to explore at this year’s festival. With its diverse collection of stories, perspectives and artistic expressions, Singapore Fringe Festival 2027 is a timely reminder that belonging is not simply about finding a place in the world. It is also about making room for others, embracing our differences and building communities where everyone has the opportunity to be seen and heard.
The 2027 Singapore Fringe Festival runs from 13th to 24th January 2027. Tickets available via BookMyShow Singapore For the full programme and further information, visit singaporefringe.com.
Support the Fringe by donating to The Necessary Stage here
