Download annex 1 - National Arts Council

ANNEX 1
SINGAPORE ARTS FESTIVAL 2008
23 MAY—22 JUNE 2008
*Accurate at time of release
DANCE
Amjad
La La La Human Steps (Canada)
Asian Premiere
Led by acclaimed Canadian choreographer, Édouard Lock, La La La Human Steps is one
of the most recognized dance companies in the world. Drawing inspirations from notable
ballets Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, Amjad marries poetry, tradition and modernity in
seamless beauty that lovers of contemporary dance should not miss!
“Absolutely sumptuous…each tableau is a little gem” - Radio Canada
6 - 7 June, 8pm ∙ $35, $55, $75, $95, $110, $130
Esplanade Theatre
The Architecture of Silence
Slovene National Theatres Opera & Ballet Maribor and Ljubljana/ Singapore
Festival Orchestra (Slovenia/ Singapore)
Asian Premiere
A spectacular musical and visual performance that explores the universal theme of the
relationship between man and woman, this monumental production by award-winning
choreographer Edward Clug weaves Mozart’s Requiem in D minor KV 626 and
contemporary Polish composer Priesners’s Requiem for My Friend into a powerful art of
movement.
“…a deeply moving experience.”- Dance Europe
29 - 31 May, 8pm ∙ $35, $55, $75, $95, $110, $130
Esplanade Theatre
Radio and Juliet
Slovene National Theatre Maribor (Slovenia)
Asian Premiere
In Radio and Juliet, choreographer Edward Clug unites Shakespeare’s most famous story
of all times with one of UK’s foremost rock bands, Radiohead, in his characteristic sharp
movements. Taking a different angle to the traditional plot, Clug reveals an utterly
amazing body language in this intimate re-play of the eternal love story.
“…Radio and Juliet has an abundance of fine dance and distils the essence of the tale in
a direct and uncompromising manner. It deserves to be more widely seen. – Dance
Europe
3 June, 8pm ∙ $35, $45, $65, $85, $105
Esplanade Theatre
Myth
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (Belgium)
Asian Premiere
Since 2000, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui has become a phenomenon in the world of dance. In
Myth, Cherkaoui creates a pictorial encyclopaedia of myths and archetypes brought to life
with strong movements and beautiful early music by the Micrologus Ensemble. In the
exploration of how an incident can mark a person forever, Myth proves to be a
remarkable work by Cherkaoui at his best!
“Cherkaoui takes a dash of acrobatics and adds a touch of Eastern martial arts, jazz
ballet and modern dance and comes up with a cocktail of amusing, intriguing and
stunning images.”- De Morgen
20 – 21 June, 8pm ∙ $35, $45, $65, $85
Esplanade Theatre
Advisory : Some coarse language
(Available for booking from 1 Mar)
Continuum
Singapore Dance Theatre (Singapore)
Asian Premiere
From a triple bill of Asian choreography in the Singapore Arts Festival 2006, Singapore
Dance Theatre continues to scale new heights in a triple bill of European and American
choreographic work by reputable dance-makers David Dawson (UK), Jorma Elo
(Finland), and Graham Lustig (USA), Continuum promises to wow the audience with its
artistic sophistication and pizzazz.
13 - 14 June, 8pm ∙ $30, $40, $50, $60, $80
Esplanade Theatre
no direction
Nibroll (Japan)
With choreography, music, lighting, video and fashion sharing an equal footing,
creates interdisciplinary works that challenge social conventions. With the
exploring a new field not confined to dance, no direction sharply describes
miscommunication which sometimes results in discord, friction, conflicts and
direction…
Nibroll
aim of
today’s
loss of
4 - 5 June, 8pm ∙ $25, $35, $45, $55
Victoria Theatre
Ah Q
Dance Theatre ON (South Korea)
Since its establishment in 1993, Dance Theatre ON has garnered rave reviews and an
international reputation from numerous dance festivals. Although inspired by Lu Xun’s
novel, Ah Q will not replicate the novel as it was written. With a strong foundation in
classical ballet, contemporary dance and zen style, Ah Q focuses on the global theme of
ignorance in well-defined movements and a charming visual artistry.
“Dance Theatre ON demonstrates what a true dance group is supposed to be. Its
movements are highly unique and exquisite” - Lyon Figaro
18 - 19 June, 8pm ∙ $25, $35, $45, $55
Victoria Theatre
Forward Moves (Singapore)
New Commission
Featuring three promising female choreographers Ebelle Chong, Neo Hong Chin and
Joavien Ng, Forward Moves continues to be a significant platform for Singapore’s
emergent dance makers to stage their choreographic debut in the Festival.
7 – 8 June, 8pm ∙ $35
Esplanade Theatre Studio
THEATRE
For All the Wrong Reasons
Victoria / Contact (Belgium / UK)
Asian Premiere
Six different people meet on stage and share their personal stories. Control versus chaos,
For All The Wrong Reasons looks at all kinds of ‘stupid’ things and translates the
absurdity of life – the clichés and details of humanity - as only Lies Pauwels, one of the
Europe’s emerging directors, knows how.
“The success of the piece lies in its mix of emotional openness and ambiguity…
spectacularly silly and touchingly simple.” -The Guardian
30 May – 1 June, 8pm ∙ $38
Esplanade Theatre Studio
Advisory: Some coarse language and intimate scenes
small metal objects
Back to Back Theatre (Australia)
Back to Back Theatre’s ingenious and highly lauded theatrical gem is set against the
shifting backdrop of the city at peak hour. The notion that everything has its price could
not be called into starker relief. Absolutely unforgettable and unlike any other
performance, small metal objects is a must-see production. This is one theatrical
experience you will never forget!
“small metal objects turns the notion of theatre and the everyday inside out. It is a pure,
open-hearted, complex and breathtaking production and a unique meditation on human
worth” - Sydney Morning Herald
14 – 15 June, 17 – 18 June ∙ $32
Venue and time to be confirmed
Advisory: Some coarse language
(Available for booking from 1 Mar)
Class Enemy
East West Theater Company (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Asian Premiere
In Sarajevo, the pupils come to school often with knives, police is often involved, and
rude behaviour during classes is not uncommon. The social picture is miserable; the
atmosphere of desperation and hopelessness is prevalent. Haris Pašović’s adaptation of
Nigel Williams’ play on school bullying and delinquency unnervingly reveals the level of
violence and general disillusionment of the world today. From a generation of actors
whose childhood schooldays were disrupted by the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia, this play is
a battle cry for change.
"Passionate, shocking, awakening!" - Oslobođenje, Sarajevo
18 – 20 June, 8pm ∙ $38
Esplanade Theatre Studio
Performed in Bosnian with English surtitles
Rated NC-16
Drift
Drama Box (Singapore)
Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre (China)
One of Singapore foremost Chinese theatre company, Drama Box returns to the Festival
with Drift- A tale of two cities that spans across three generations where cultures are
memories are contested in the speed of modernisation.
Directed by Kok Heng Leun and written by well-known Chinese playwright Nick Yu,
Drift is a landmark collaboration between Drama Box and Shanghai Dramatic Arts
Center featuring a stellar cast including Zhou Yemang and Lim Kay Siu in a tale best
understood when watched with the heart.
5 – 7 June, 8pm ∙ $28, $40, $50, $60
Drama Centre Theatre
Performed in Mandarin with English surtitles
Advisory : Mature theme
Co-commissioned for Singapore Season in China 2007 and Singapore Arts Festival 2008.
The King Lear Project:
Part I Lear Enters (12 Jun)
Part II: Dover Cliff and the Conditions of Representation (13 Jun)
Part III: The Lear Universe (13 Jun)
Ho Tzu Nyen / Fran Borgia (Singapore)
New Commission
Taking the form of a non-repeatable trilogy played over three days, The King Lear
Project is conceived and written by Singapore artist Ho Tzu Nyen as an unique
experiment in unearthing the power of Shakespeare's greatest tragedy. This is a singular
theatrical experience that will take audiences on a hallucinatory journey through the
processes of auditioning, rehearsing and the filming of a play that never ends, because it
has never truly begun.
Featuring some of Singapore's most exciting actors and designers, The King Lear Project
is jointly directed by Ho Tzu Nyen and film director Fran Borgia.
Be prepared to stretch your limits on what it means to make theatre and to be theatrical.
12 -14 June, 8pm ∙ $25, $30, $40, $50
Drama Centre Theatre
Temple
Cake Theatrical Productions (Singapore)
New Commission
In a mythological universe, the world is at odds. Seven people find refuge in a sports hall.
They bolt the doors, create rules and pursue normalcy. One day they awake to find the
doors open. All swear innocence. Temple is an exploration of integrity and redemption in
a broken world.
19 – 20 June, 8pm ∙ $25, $30, $40, $50
Drama Centre Theatre
Full Frontal (Singapore)
New Commission
A platform to uncover Singapore’s next generation of directors, Full Frontal features
emerging theatre director ZiZi Azah, who revisits Eugener’s Ionesco’s Rhinoceros and
breathes fresh perspective into it, posing the age old questions of self versus society, and
whether to “rhinoceros or not to rhinoceros!".
12 -13 June, 8pm ∙ $28
Esplanade Theatre Studio
Nine Hills One Valley
Chorus Repertory Theatre of Manipur (India)
A mystical land comprising nine concentric ranges of hills encircling a valley, a paradise
that exists in a secluded corner of the earth. Directed by one of the most important theatre
makers in the international scene today, Ratan Thiyam takes us on a journey to seek the
answer to the question: where do people stand when their cultural traditions are lost?
7- 8 June, 8pm ∙ $25, $35, $45, $55
Victoria Theatre
Performed in Manipuri (Meitei) with English surtitles
MUSIC
The Lord of the Rings Symphony:
Six Movements for Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists
Singapore Festival Orchestra / Chorus of the Slovene National Theatres Maribor
and Ljubljana / Singapore Lyric Opera Children’s Choir
Drawn from the nearly 12 hours of music for the phenomenally successful film trilogy
composed by multi-award winning composer Howard Shore, The Lord of the Rings
Symphony will be staged by a musical force of more than 200 performers, accompanied
by original illustrations and storyboard sketches by renowned Tolkien artists John Howe
and Alan Lee, which inspired the majestic imagery of the film. An unique multimedia
concert experience not to be missed.
". . . flawless . . . breathtaking…. a real sonic spectacle." - The Herald
5 - 6 June, 7.30pm ∙ $35, $45, $65, $85, $110, $140, $150
Esplanade Concert Hall
QNG – Quartet New Generation (Germany)
Recorder Collective
Hailed as “Four Recorder Virtuosos” by The New York Times, QNG—Quartet New
Generation will mesmerize audiences with its innovative programmes that juxtapose
contemporary and early music, presented with a dynamic and often theatrical stage
presence. Performing on up to 20 different recorders of varying sizes and shapes, the
quartet transports the listener into new sonic worlds which affirms the recorder’s viability
as a modern classical instrument.
“The playing was brilliant... a concert experience that is both musically significant and
entertaining ...” - The American Recorder Magazine
17 - 18 June, 8pm ∙ $25, $35, $45, $55
Jubilee Hall
Sonos ‘E Memoria (Italy)
Asian Premiere
12 Sardinian musicians - led by Italian jazz luminary Paolo Fresu and queen of Sardinian
folk music singer Elena Ledda with a polyphonic choir - give new life and insight into a
forgotten island identity. Accompanied by the film of Gianfranco Cabiddu on Sardinian
life from the ‘20s to the ‘50s, this is an emotional musical journey that illuminates the
pride of a people, its culture and its roots.
31 May - 1 June, 8pm ∙ $25, $35, $45, $55
Drama Centre
Spiritual Sounds of Central Asia: Nomads, Mystics and Troubadours
Alim & Fargana Qasimov (Azerbaijan), Tengir-Too (Kyrgyzstan) &
Bardic Divas (Kazakhstan)
Spiritual Sounds of Central Asia: Nomads, Mystics and Troubadours features a
panoramic range of vocal and instrumental music from some of Central Asia’s best
performers - the legendary Azerbaijan vocalist Alim Qasimov, whom Le Monde hailed as
“one of the most beautiful voices of our era,” and his daughter Fargana; Bardic Divas
from Kazakhstan who will demonstrate the power and beauty of the female voice; and
Tengir-Too, a new ensemble that plays old music in an innovative resurrection of the
mountain music of Kyrgyzstan.
10 - 11 June, 8pm ∙ $20, $30, $40, $50
Jubilee Hall
London Sinfonietta (UK)
With a reputation built on the virtuosity of its performances and ambitious programming,
the London Sinfonietta collaborates with artists from the underground electronica label
WARP records to present a night of eclectic mix of music from Warp and 20th Century
Masters, accompanied by stunning visuals. The second performance includes an evening
of modern classics with music by Stravinsky, Varese and Adams, among others.
“Britain's premier contemporary music ensemble.” - The New York Times
“One of the wonders of modern music.” - The Sunday Times
20 - 21 June, 7.30pm ∙ $28, $35, $45, $55, $70
Esplanade Concert Hall
Awaking
A new production by TheatreWorks / Ong Keng Sen with Qu Xiao Song, Singapore
Chinese Orchestra and Musicians of the Globe (Singapore / China / UK)
World Premiere
Directed by Ong Keng Sen, this lyrical and dramatic concert celebrates the meaning of
Love - the physical, the spiritual, the metaphysical, and the transcendental. Drawing from
the refined kunqu opera music and songs from Tang Xianzu’s The Peony Pavilion, and
Elizabethan music from Shakespeare's Hamlet and Othello, the work is enveloped by the
new music of one of China’s most accomplished composers Qu Xiao Song. With his
highly innovative performance language, Ong creates a cosmos of love explored by two
masterful playwrights from two different cultures who lived at the same time, died in the
same year (1616), but who were unaware of each other's existence. This performance
features the stunning Beijing kunqu opera actress Wei Chun Rong accompanied by kunqu
musicians from Beijing, musicians of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and The
Musicians of the Globe.
13 - 14 June, 8pm ∙ $25, $35, $45, $55
Victoria Theatre
Festival Fantasia
Singapore Festival Orchestra
Critically praised its technical prowess, the Singapore Festival Orchestra celebrates the
gift of music through Festival Fantasia in a special programme marking the key
anniversaries of composers such as Pablo de Sarasate, Rimsky Korsakov and Vaughan
Williams.
Conducted by SFO’s Music Director Chan Tze Law, Festival Fantasia will feature
established Singapore composer Tan Chan Boon with a new composition Cherish, local
rising star violinist Tang Tee Khoon (second prize winner in the prestigious Irving M.
Klein International String Competition) and Chinese pianist Wenyu Shen, who at 16, was
the youngest prize winner in the history of the Queen Elizabeth Competition in 2003.
14 June, 7.30pm ∙ $20, $30, $40, $50
Esplanade Concert Hall
For Severall Friends
Musicians of the Globe (UK)
One of today’s eminent ensemble of period performance, Musicians of the Globe, led by
its Musical Director and Founder Philip Pickett will perform a repertoire of merry and
doleful Elizabethan and Jacobean music often heard in court, country house, theatre,
street and tavern.
15 June, 7.30pm · $40
CHIJMES HALL
KIDSFEST
Tacomitac (for all ages)
Compagnia Teatro Dimitri (Switzerland)
Little cobbler and prankster Tallina thinks life is all about playing tricks and laughing at
others’ misfortunes – until she provokes an expected response from one of her victims:
There is another way to have fun, after all! Together with her friend Quak, she embarks
on a journey of self-discovery and learns how to bring joy to the lives of others. 19-yearold company Compagnia Teatro Dimitri, touring arm of the Swiss theatre school of the
same name, turns this charming Polish fairy tale into a heart-warming comedy.
21 – 27 May, 10 am and 2 pm · $22(child), $28(adult) Drama Centre, Theatre
Monster Hits (for 3 yrs old onwards)
Tall Stories (UK)
Everyone knows there are monsters hiding in your walls and cupboards, including poor
little William, living in Grandpa’s old house. As he hides out in his spooky little bedroom
attic, he’s got to convince Grandpa that they’ll have to deal with the big bad beasts
together so he’ll get to sleep at night – but Grandpa has no imagination whatsoever…
London-based theatre group Tall Stories brings this favorite bed-time setting to life with
its trademark brand of physical theatre, humor and an interactive performance.
21 – 27 May, 11.30 am and 3.30 pm · $22(child), $28(adult)
Drama Centre, Blackbox
Robinson Crusoe (for 5 to 10 yrs old)
Act 3 Theatrics (Singapore)
Robinson Crusoe sails away from home into the high seas, but is shipwrecked after a
thunderstorm and drifts onto a strange island. How does he deal with finding food,
building a house and man-eating islanders? He saves and befriends a native, whom he
calls Friday. Together they go through life’s challenges and build a long-lasting bond
sealed by courage and circumstance. Act 3 Theatrics, Singapore’s first professional
children’s theatre company, returns to the Singapore Arts Festival with a dramatization of
this well-known tale with a fresh cast of Shane Mardjuki (host, stage and tv actor, last
seen in Singapore Repertory Theatre’s The Pillow Man) and Anwar Hadi (actor, Act 3
and Teater Kami).
21 – 27 May, 11.30 am and 3.30 pm · $22 (child), $28(adult)
Drama Centre, Visitors Centre