Review: RawGround – Reference by RAW Moves

A marathon of process-driven and exploratory works showcasing the range of topics and issues RAW Moves is ready to tackle.  RAW Moves has never been one to shy away from big, ambitious works, from a three-hour durational piece, to even hosting a ‘living laboratory’ of dancers. And even with the COVID-19 pandemic putting a dampener on the arts scene, that was never going to stop … Continue reading Review: RawGround – Reference by RAW Moves

Review: Amara – Dancing Stories of Banteay Srei by Apsaras Arts

Telling stories and legends through dance. Cambodia probably houses some of the world’s most beautiful religious sites, the most famous of which would be Angkor Wat. With Apsaras Arts’ new production, the local Indian dance company shines the spotlight on Banteay Srei, one of Cambodia’s more unique sacred buildings. Standing out for its small size and pink hue from the red sandstone it is made of … Continue reading Review: Amara – Dancing Stories of Banteay Srei by Apsaras Arts

Preview: RawGround – Reference by RAW Moves

Bored at home and run out of things to binge on Netflix? Try marathoning dance videos instead, as RAW Moves presents RawGround: Reference this November. Taking its title from how references act as the the frameworks through which we develop several different facets of our lives – ourselves, others, the past and the present, a total of 12 short films will be released over 12 … Continue reading Preview: RawGround – Reference by RAW Moves

Preview: Kalaa Utsavam 2020 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Now in its 19th edition, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s annual Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts is back to spread hope to all its viewers. This year’s edition focuses on the power of the arts to build resilience and reconnect audiences to the beauty of nature and see the light in life, complete with a key visual that takes inspiration from the … Continue reading Preview: Kalaa Utsavam 2020 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Preview: Baybeats 2020 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

In a time where most festivals have gone fully digital, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay sheds a little light on the performing arts scene and live performances with the return of Baybeats in a live format, following an interim digital edition back in August. Formed on the basis of being “a festival by the community, for the community,” Baybeats 2020 will be a hybrid … Continue reading Preview: Baybeats 2020 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

The Banter: The Opera People chat about reinventing opera in Idomeneo Refracted

If you’ve ever been too intimidated by the idea of stepping into a theatre to experience an opera, there’s probably no better time to do so than right now. This November, local opera company The Opera People (TOP) are reinventing the genre in new, digital ways with their film version of Mozart’s Idomeneo, streamed on demand from the comfort of your home. In many ways, while … Continue reading The Banter: The Opera People chat about reinventing opera in Idomeneo Refracted

Review: The Escape Game by s**t kingz (da:ns Festival 2020)

When we last saw them at FULL OUT! for da:ns Festival 2019, Japanese street dance quartet s**t kingz charmed us with their cheeky choreography and their commitment to fun as they danced their hearts out onstage. While they can’t be physically present this time, the Esplanade has commissioned and co-produced a brand new digital show from them for this year’s da:ns Festival, one that’s sure to … Continue reading Review: The Escape Game by s**t kingz (da:ns Festival 2020)

Review: Failing the Dance – A Double Bill of Lecture-Performances (da:ns Festival 2020)

The lecture-performance form often feels loaded, if only because it sometimes seems like an excuse to showcase incomplete work that fills in the blanks with academic rhetoric. But in the case of the Esplanade’s Failing the Dance, the double-bill of lecture-performances makes a compelling case for the viability of the form, and its ability to raise awareness of issues and dialogue, and manifesting these arguments through … Continue reading Review: Failing the Dance – A Double Bill of Lecture-Performances (da:ns Festival 2020)

Preview: Idomeneo Refracted by The Opera People

The last time we watched The Opera People was in March, prior to the COVID-19 lockdown. But not even a pandemic can stop the arts, as they’re back, this time with the first ever film opera made in Singapore and the Singapore premiere of Mozart’s Idomeneo. In the film, watch as the spirits of five characters gather in an empty theatre, drawn to a ghost light. In … Continue reading Preview: Idomeneo Refracted by The Opera People

Esplanade – Theatres On The Bay turns 18 this October

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore’s national performing arts centre, turns 18 on 12th Oct 2020. Since its opening in 2002, the centre has presented more than 49,000 performances and activities, drawing an audience of 32 million patrons and 112 million visitors. Following the pilot trial performances with live audiences which took place at several arts venues in Singapore including Esplanade in September, the … Continue reading Esplanade – Theatres On The Bay turns 18 this October