"As a keen observer of the arts, I have seen the Singapore Arts Festival grow quickly in the last few years into a distinctive event marked by quality programming and artistic innovation. Now stepping into NAC as its CEO, and supported by the feedback I have received from my regional and international counterparts, I believe the Festival has truly earned and carved its place as an event of international repute admired for its commitment to artistic innovation, risk taking, enterprise, and collaboration. That the Festival has managed to achieve this accolade at a budget which is nearly half that of the major festivals in the region is indeed a remarkable feat. As a cultural centrepiece of Singapore, the Festival has become an important engine and catalyst in developing future generations of audiences for Singapore, in challenging our artists to greater heights, and in propelling Singapore forward as a global arts city." says Mr Lee Suan Hiang, Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council.

"This year, the Festival has further enhanced its tradition of presenting the best works from Singapore, Asia and around the World that are refreshing and have a wide audience appeal. There will be something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy in this Festival, whether you are an arts aficionado or a casual browser of the arts. We intend to connect you to the Festival," says Mr Arun Mahizhnan, Chairman of the Singapore Arts Festival 2004 Steering Committee.

This year's Festival continues to offer a range of diverse productions, to enthrall, engage and entertain audiences. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra presents a mammoth production of Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand, featuring 520 performers from East and West onstage. Immerse yourself in an intense four-hour dramatisation of Shakespeare's Othello by Lithuanian Meno fortas, the Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Troupe of China's modern staging of Hua Yue Ying, and China Blue Sky Modern Drama Troupe's fusion of modern theatre and Beijing Opera style interpretation of Ba Wang Bie Ji. At the other end of the production scale are intimate shows by refreshing artists creating a storm on the international scene such as Secreto y Malibu from Argentina, Canada's Dulcinea Langfelder & Co's poignantly funny portrayal of a spirited Alzheimer patient, Australians Helen Herbertson and Ben Cobham's Morphia Series, and Beijing folk rock by China's Bob Dylan, Yang Yi.

The Festival's Outreach component continues to bring delightful, interactive productions to places all around Singapore. Exciting showcases to look out for include Urban Dream Capsule where four men will live in a window display downtown for two weeks, a 12-hour celebration of Indian music, food and dance in Maha Mela in Little India, Teater Ekamatra's 6-episode traveling sitcom Mr Mamat Magik Melayu, four huge visual arts showcases on contemporary and pop art, and an arts carnival of shows and workshops for children in Kidsfest. Closing Celebrations round off the Festival, in a pulsing, energizing and fiery performance by South Korean percussion ensemble Dulsori.

"The 2004 edition of the Festival presents a power-packed programme featuring artists from 23 countries and regions, 32 cities and 6 continents. From the streets of Little India to Orchard Road, from an Esprit shop window to the Esplanade theatres, from the micro to the mega-scale, from 18-minute morsels to 4-hour tour de force, Festival audiences will be treated to a highly diverse range of performances created by the finest choreographers, directors, composers, performers and artists of today. Exploring a range of whimsical, light-hearted to the more introspective reflections of our individual and larger worlds, this year's programme guarantees to provide a total Festival experience that will be collectively delightful, moving and searing at the same time." says Ms Goh Ching Lee, Director (Programmes and International Development), National Arts Council.

Indeed a new season of the arts blossoms this year, guaranteed to make people marvel at Singapore's dynamic offerings of the arts and culture. Indulge yourself in the heady experience at the Singapore Arts Festival this June!

(I) CORE PROGRAMMES

(II) OUTREACH PROGRAMMES
ARTS ON THE MOVE
Date : 30 May – 18 June
Venue : Various locations
Tickets : Free admission

 

PERFORMING GROUP	COUNTRY
Atrika	Singapore
Compagnia La Tal	Spain
Dharni	Singapore
Duc Le Juke	France
Dulsori	South Korea
Frontier Danceland	Singapore
Manora	Malaysia
Mohata	Australia/Guinea
Nadaka	India/Canada
Nuradee Brothers	Singapore
NUS Dance Blast!	Singapore
Singapore Silat Federation	Singapore
Stiff Gins	Australia
Syama	Singapore
Pinikpikan	Philippines
Teater Ekamatra	Singapore
The Musical Theatre	Singapore
The Philharmonic Winds	Singapore
The Players Theatre	Singapore
The Theatre Practice	Singapore
Violin Duo	Singapore
Visual Impact	Singapore
Wicked Aura	Singapore

LATE SHOWS AT THE ARTS HOUSE
The Arts House at The Old Parliament

KIDSFEST
Date : 29 May – 2 June
Venue : Anglo-Chinese School Barker Road Campus
Tickets : $15 per show (with free entry to Arts Jamboree)

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

SPECIAL EVENTS

ESPLANADE EVENTS

VISUAL ARTS

FESTIVAL CONVERSATIONS
Workshops, Masterclasses and Conferences

Source: Singapore Arts Festival 2004 Press Release 2 Apr 2004