SIFA On Demand streaming extends till 20th June 2021

With the pandemic still happening, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) has always had a backup plan in case things went awry for live performances. That comes in the form of SIFA On Demand – a video streaming service that allows everyone to experience SIFA from the comfort and safety of their homes after the festival ends. With the number of audience members reduced … Continue reading SIFA On Demand streaming extends till 20th June 2021

★★★★☆ Review: The Year of No Return by The Necessary Stage (SIFA 2021)

The climate is changing for the worse – so when will we change for the better? The Year of No Return is possibly one of The Necessary Stage’s (TNS) most ambitious productions yet. Bringing together an international cast, the play tackles the expansive topic of climate change and our efforts to stop it, all while dealing with the new restrictions placed on them by the … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: The Year of No Return by The Necessary Stage (SIFA 2021)

★★★★☆ Review: The Journey by Scott Silven (SIFA 2021)

Magical storytelling that bringing us closer online. I’m a cynic at heart, and have always known that stage magic is a matter of sleight of hand, misdirection and trickery to pull off an act. And when magic is performed via a digital medium, one cannot help but suspect its ‘authenticity’ even more, given how easy it is to manipulate videos and video feeds. But there’s … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: The Journey by Scott Silven (SIFA 2021)

★★★☆☆ Review: As Far As Isolation Goes by Tania El Khoury and Basel Zaara (SIFA 2021)

An encounter with a refugee opens our eyes to the human pain behind the conflict. Moving to a new home can be hard. But it’s especially hard for refugees from war-torn nations finding themselves in a strange new land, reeling from the trauma of the past, adapting to their new life, and resisting strangers’ dirty looks and the creeping fear of feeling completely, absolutely alone. … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: As Far As Isolation Goes by Tania El Khoury and Basel Zaara (SIFA 2021)

★★★☆☆ Review: Three Sisters by Nine Years Theatre and SITI Company (SIFA 2021)

Cross-continent, multilingual hybrid adaptation of Chekhov a valiant effort but flawed in execution. Ideally, collaborations between arts companies should produce work that take the very best of each company’s style and elevate the final production to new heights. It is especially exciting to see cross-border collaborations, where the contrasts in artistic philosophy and culture may lead to surprising results. But collaborations are by no means … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Three Sisters by Nine Years Theatre and SITI Company (SIFA 2021)

★★★★☆ Review: Gardens Speak by Tania El Khoury (SIFA 2021)

Planting the seeds of hope in this unique sound installation highlighting the casualties of war. They say that a single death is a tragedy; a million deaths, a statistic. And for countries like Syria, where war has ravaged its citizens for years, the shadow of death is always looming, almost second nature at this point. For a Singaporean who has likely never witnessed or experienced … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Gardens Speak by Tania El Khoury (SIFA 2021)

SIFA Implements Pre-Event Testing for Live Performances

In line with the heightened measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) will be implementing additional safe management measures to the festival’s upcoming line-up. SIFA will be implementing PET for the following programmes, as well as capping capacity at 100 audience members per performance for the following productions: • Three Sisters • The Year of No Return • … Continue reading SIFA Implements Pre-Event Testing for Live Performances

★★★★☆ Review: The Commission by Pangdemonium, Wild Rice and SRT (SIFA 2021)

Satirical yet vulnerable as three titans of local theatre take to the stage and get personal. In the immortal words of Macbeth’s three witches: When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lightning or in rain? Following their unprecedented collaboration on short film The Pitch during the sturm and drang of last year, local artistic directors Gaurav Kripalani (Singapore Repertory Theatre), Ivan Heng (Wild Rice) … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: The Commission by Pangdemonium, Wild Rice and SRT (SIFA 2021)

★★★★☆ Review: En Route by one step at a time like this (SIFA 2021)

Learn to see the city in a new light. With the lack of leisure travel or commercial flights, it’s little wonder that being cooped up has filled us with yearning for a change of scenery, and the far too common cry of “there’s nothing to do”. But perhaps rather than looking out, it’s more important to turn our gaze inwards, and change our perspective to … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: En Route by one step at a time like this (SIFA 2021)

Adjustments made to SIFA 2021 live performances over new COVID-19 rules

The Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) continues to prioritise the safety and well-being of artists, patrons and staff. In light of the latest Safe Management Measures (SMMs) advisories announced on 14 May, the following live performances will be cancelled: Be Comforted Now: Bach Cantatas (16th May, Sunday, 5pm, Victoria Concert Hall) Before Life and After part of Compassion: Chamber Music Series (21st May, Friday, … Continue reading Adjustments made to SIFA 2021 live performances over new COVID-19 rules