★★★★☆ 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)

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

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

New shows and additional tickets released for 2021 Singapore International Festival of Arts

If you didn’t manage to snag any of the very limited tickets to the Singapore International Festival of Arts, don’t miss this second chance to grab them again, with additional tickets being released on 30th April, 12pm. This increase in capacity is due to zoning no longer being a requirement for live performances to take place. However, as the safety of audiences, artists and staff … Continue reading New shows and additional tickets released for 2021 Singapore International Festival of Arts

Preview: Festival House returns for SIFA 2021, with focus on healing and humanity

When Gaurav Kripalani took on the role of Festival Director for the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), he introduced the concept of the Festival House, a central location in the heart of the city, where festival-goers could gather for a drink, talk to each other, and take in the wonder of the performance they had just witnessed. After the festival went on hiatus last … Continue reading Preview: Festival House returns for SIFA 2021, with focus on healing and humanity

SIFA 2021: Completing a Journey – An Interview with SIFA Festival Director Gaurav Kripalani

Gaurav Kripalani reflects on his final year as SIFA’s Festival Director and what lies ahead. 2020 has been a surprising year for many people. In the arts scene, the coronavirus pandemic halted most performances, and changed the way we experience live events as we know it. And for Gaurav Kripalani, what was meant to be his final year as Festival Director of the Singapore International … Continue reading SIFA 2021: Completing a Journey – An Interview with SIFA Festival Director Gaurav Kripalani

Preview: Singapore International Festival of Arts 2021

Even with a hiatus in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Singapore International Festival of Arts never truly left us, taking on a more experimental thrust with multiple digital events held as part of ‘v2.020‘, featuring both local and international artists. But come 2021, with live performances slowly but surely opening up again as the pandemic situation improves day by day, the festival is … Continue reading Preview: Singapore International Festival of Arts 2021

Review: The Silence of a Falling Tree by COMPOUND

Meditative audio journeys exploring essentialism. In adapting for the restrictions placed on live performances due to the pandemic, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) has turned to the digital space for presentation, with many of its commissioned work taking the form of audio experiences instead. The latest of these to premiere is COMPOUND’s The Silence of a Falling Tree, where listeners are taken on ‘immersive sonic … Continue reading Review: The Silence of a Falling Tree by COMPOUND

Review: A Bird Calls You To Moscow by Joel Tan and Tan Shou Chen

A breakup in audio form, accompanied by piano music.  There’s always something about piano music that’s irresistibly evocative, able to make the simplest of events feel like the end of the world. Simply hearing it is enough to provoke a reaction, and in A Bird Calls You To Moscow, helps create an excessive amount of heartbreak. Written by Joel Tan and directed by Tan Shou … Continue reading Review: A Bird Calls You To Moscow by Joel Tan and Tan Shou Chen