Recent Young Artist Award recipient Michael Lee is a Singapore-based artist, writer and curator. He has won awards for his collaborative videos, including first prize for the Experimental Category in the University Film and Video Association Student Short Film Competition 1997 in Texas, U.S.A., and the United Television International Award for Distinction 1996 in Singapore. His artworks have been exhibited internationally, such as in Philadelphia, London, Sao Paolo, Hong Kong, Nagoya, Beijing, Bangkok and Singapore. Concerned about the relations between desire and space, Lee is particularly intrigued by how human aspirations may reflect, inspire and interact with the architectural environment – an intrigue he has been exploring through various media, including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, installation, video and text.

Each of us has a double somewhere, sometime. We love the double, and we hate it – sometimes simultaneously.

5 – 10 November | 10am to 8pm | Drama Centre Foyer, Level 3

Visitor Centre

spell #7

Looking for some direction in your life? Then visit Visitor Centre! Innovative arts group spell#7 invites you to a hospitality suite with a difference. Combining interactive events, performances, installations and public discussions, Visitor Centre will pamper and prod, delight and deceive, guide and beguile. All we ask in return is whatever that is you've got coming out of your mouth: a story, a memory, a motto, a curse, a shopping list…

Visitor Centre is part of spell#7’s ‘Public Relations’ project, which stages fun and challenging encounters between artists and other members of the public. In this event, artists and civil society groups will provide a wide range of activities for visitors to participate in. Get a massage at the Wordspa; share your memories with the Library Lexicon; join in a National Language Class; feed the Artist in Residence; and watch our Hospitality staff run that extra mile, just for you. Each evening, a different civil society group will conduct an ‘Open Closed Door’ session, where you are invited to sit in on topical discussions normally held behind closed doors. On the final day, a presentation will be made on all the activities that have taken place. Visitor Centre: it’s all there, waiting for you – all you have to do is find it.

5 & 6 November | 10am to 8pm | Visitors Centre, Level 5

7 - 11 November | 4pm to 8.30pm | Visitors Centre, Level 5

Project RRR

Meet Roving Reporter Rahim and his trusty cameraman sidekick whose mission is to capture participants of the fun-filled DC Celebrates! on film. Be entertained by his unusual interview techniques and comic antics! This is your chance for 30 seconds of fame!

5 – 11 November | 10am to 6pm | Various Locations

FULL PROGRAMME

THEATRE

Drunken Prawns
Action Theatre
A brand new production by ACTION Theatre of an award-winning play by celebrated playwright Desmond Sim. Produced by Ekachai Uekrongtham, Drunken Prawns is a fresh succulent theatrical dish for the whole family! Come for a heart-warming and hilarious treat that will make you laugh, cry and remember the precious experiences of growing up in an Asian family. This new production features an extended version of the script spiced up by the delicious interactive elements where you will get to be a parts of the play's action! The performance will be immediately followed by a lively post-show discussion led by the playwright, the director and the cast. Starring Henry Heng and Chermaine Ang.

　

5 Nov 2005 | 3pm & 5pm | DC Black Box, Level 3

6 Nov 2005 | 1pm & 3pm | DC Black Box, Level 3

Parent Trap!
Cake Theatrical Productions

A highly entertaining and thought-provoking Forum Theatre performance, Parent Trap! is about a feisty teenager who makes a demand that requires her cash-strapped mother to dig deep into her savings, resulting in an explosive outburst and a great deal of unhappiness! Will the teenager get what she wants? Will the parent manage to impart to her a valuable lesson about the value of money? Audience members are invited to step into the role of the Mother who tries to negotiate with the terribly upset Teenager. A highly interactive performance, certain to entertain and educate! Written & directed by Natalie Hennedige.

7 November | 12pm & 2.30pm | Function Room 3, Level 3
8 November | 11am | Function Room 3, Level 3

The Bookworm and The Wolf/Judging by Appearance

Arts Theatre of Singapore

Come join the actors of Arts Theatre as they entertain you with a musical play with lots of humour thrown in!

8 November | 5 pm | Drama Centre Foyer, Level 3

9 November | 2pm & 5pm | Drama Centre Foyer, Level 3

Puppets Alive!
The Finger Players

Watch how puppeteers turn lifeless objects into living and colourful creatures and humans! Be enthralled by the “belly” dancer who will twist and turn and work the audience into a hip-twisting frenzy and the “child” star that serenades with a pop song. These puppets will tickle your funny bones!

9 & 10 November | 11.30am & 12.30pm | Function Room 3, Level 3

(Performance and post-show interactive session)

Dua Da Ji/News Buster!
Dramabox

Since the success of News Theatre in 2001, Li Xie, Drama Box’s Associate Artist and 2005 Young Artist Award recipient, has once again turned the spotlight on news and created a “mockumentary” – News Busters! Debuting last New Years Eve, this performance has since gained popularity. Watch Italian impromptu street theatre meet family soap opera! Chew on its wicked doses of satirical humour as we relive the recent headline news.

Created by Li Xie with collaborators Tay Kong Hui, Koh Hui Ling and Evelyn Chia

11 November | 7.30pm | DC Black Box, Level 5

Lao Jiu – The Musical
The Theatre Practice

~ Kuo Pao Kun’s classic play, now a groundbreaking musical ~

After eight daughters, a son is finally born – and no ordinary son is he.

Lao Jiu, the ninth-born, is the pride and joy of his father, an ex-gangster. It was foretold that this brilliant young man will achieve great success in life. Now on the brink of winning a prestigious scholarship that will ensure a glorious career, Lao Jiu finds himself more fascinated by the dying art of puppetry and yearns to be a student of Shifu, his father’s closest friend. Torn between reality and dreams, modernity and tradition, he is determined to find his destiny.

Kuo Pao Kun’s classic play is brought back to the stage in a groundbreaking musical adaptation. This endearing story is now set to music and lyrics that will touch your heart in an unforgettable way. Featuring spectacular choreography and puppetry, the production brings together some of the best talents in Singapore and international artists from across three continents. Lao Jiu: The Musical will speak to you like no other.

11 November | 8pm | Drama Centre Theatre, Level 3

Tickets are sold through SISTIC

S$60, S$45, S$30, S$20 (excluding SISTIC fee)

DANCE

Bhangra! Bhangra!
Singapore Bhangra Troupe

Move your feet to the drums as the lithe gyrating forms of the Bhangra dancers sway to the rhythmic breats. You’ll thoroughly enjoy this energetic bhangra dance performance!

5 November | 1pm & 3pm | Function Room 3, Level 3

Instinct
Odyssey Dance Theatre
Instinct, a natural feeling or knowledge that living things seem to have; without thinking and without being taught. With creature-like movement, dancers will illustrate and reveal the human instinct and desire, while exploring the dual personalities of humans.

6 & 7 November | 1pm & 2pm | Drama Centre Foyer, Level 3

Crying Earth
Frontier Danceland

A vivid depiction of the slow impending destruction of our environment, this moving performance expresses the inherent message that we must save that which exists, before it too becomes extinct. Existence or extinction - it is our choice..." 　

10 November | 3pm, 4pm & 5pm | Drama Centre Foyer, Level 3

Paint Me a Story
Moving Arts
A colourful fun-filled dance work developed and inspired by the paintings of American artist Keith Haring. Active participation is encouraged as audience members are taken through a series of activities during the performance that will enhance their viewing experience.

9, 10 & 11 November | 11.15am, 12.45am & 2.15pm | DC Black Box, Level 3

NADI
Sri Warisan

This dance performance focuses on the richness of Malay dance with the use of silat movements. Silat, a traditional martial art form, was used to defend oneself and not to attack. Accompanied by the gurindam, beautiful rhythmic verses and drums, martial arts movements are transformed into enchanting dance work. 　

11 November | 4.30pm | Function Room 1, Level 3

(Performance and post-show interactive session)

VISUAL ARTS

The Bowl
Nanyang Clay Group

An exhibition by a group of potters bonded by a common interest… the process of giving physical form to their emotions. Watch the demonstrations by the master potters and try your hand at making your own pot!

5 – 11 November | 10am to 6pm | Function Room 2, Level 3

Demonstration and interactive session at 2pm daily

Reading between the Lines: A Photography showcase
OBJECTIFS, Centre for Photography and Filmmaking
`The photography showcase introduces the works of locally-based artists. Featuring works from Aidah Dolrahim, Deanna Ng, Julian Cohen, Quentin Lee, Chia Yan Wei and Yian Huang, all photographers from Shooting Home, an annual photography mentorship programme by Objectifs - Centre for Photography and Filmmaking. Curated by local photographer and printmaster, Chris Yap.`

5 – 11 November | 10am to 6pm | DC Black Box Foyer, Level 5

Local Short Film Screening: A Screening

`Short films; small gems that express the versatility and vibrancy of a community. A form of expression for many youths constantly exposed to new technologies. A creative outlet featuring "The Secret Heaven" by Sun Koh, "Crocodile Journals" by Yeo Lee Nah and "Nana & Damien" by Lionel Chok. Curated by Objectifs - Centre for Photography and Filmmaking.`

5 – 11 November | 10am to 6pm | VIP Lounge, Level 3

Note: These short films will be screened at various TV stations around the building. The target group is small clusters of people as one of the characteristic sofas of the drama centre will be positioned in front of the set-up.

Film Synopsis

The Secret Heaven

Director: Sun Koh

(16 min / Mandarin with English subtitles / Singapore)

A five year old girl is an underachiever who spends most of her time trying to skip piano lessons. When cornered by her piano teacher and mother, she discovers a most ingenious way to break free – by going to heaven. The Secret Heaven has travelled to 18 festivals internationally and has garnered multiple awards including the much coveted Silver Hugo at the 38^th Chicago International Film Festival. Other awards include Best Director 2002 (Short Film Competition), 15^th Singapore International Film Festival, 2002; Prix Du Public Du Meilluer Court Metrage 2002 (Audience Grand Prix for Best Short Film 2002), 8e Festival Etoiles & Toiles d’Asie (8^th Festival of Asian Films), Lyon, France 2002; People’s Choice Award for Best Short Film, 5^th Women’s Film Festival in Seoul, 2003; and Audience Award, 1^st Short Shorts Film Festival Asia 2004, Tokyo.

Sun Koh:

In 1997, after winning the Best School Video Production Award at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Sun was sent to Los Angeles on a DVD Training Grant with Time Warner Inc and also took classes in Scriptwriting and Color Grading (Telecine) at the UCLA Extension. Since graduation she has since done a number of telemovies and seriesfor MediaCorp Channel 5 and Arts Central, and is now developing a new film project.

Nana & Damien

Director: Lionel Chok

(10 min / Singapore)

When the only love of your life has a biological make up of 95% plastic and 5% synthetic fibres, you know that you have reached the lowest point in your existence. But this is not the case for some… Being the true-life story of one man and his mannequin, Nana & Damien is a love story for the 21^st century.

Lionel Chok:

Lionel Chok has been writing, producing and directing for the last ten years. His repertoire includes “Dirty Laundry”, a telemovie shot on Hi-Definition and “Adultery”, a full-length play he wrote and directed. He is currently producing an independent feature film.

Crocodile Journals

Director: Yeo Lee Nah

(7 min/ Singapore)

A crocodile disguises himself as a human being, to live in the human world. Although no one knows about his true identity, they ostracize him all the same, as they sense that he is different. The relationship of people and crocodiles are both of fear and fascination.

Unable to make any meaningful contact, the crocodile is disillusioned and starts to become more and more of a recluse. One day, he gets an invitation to his company's masquerade party! Excitedly, he decides to go as himself. As he starts to enjoy the party, the hostess makes a surprise announcement. Everyone has to remove their masks!

The film has been screened at many international film festivals including the prestigious Annecy International Animated Film Festival, France; Melbourne International Film Festival; Edinburgh International Film Festival, Scotland; and also received an Honourable Mention in Environmental Activism and Social Justice category, EarthVision Television Series 2005, California.

Yeo Lee Nah:

Yeo Lee Nah is a performer at heart, whose love for performance found its channel in filmmaking, animation and design. Following her set design career in the Singapore Television of Singapore (now Mediacorp), she decides to expand her horizons at the California Institute of the Arts where she received a Bachelor’s in Scene Design (Theatre School) and a Master’s in Experimental Animation (Film and Video School). Upon her return to Singapore, she was an Art Director in Mediacorp Raintree Pictures’ feature film, “One Last Dance”, stars Harvey Keitel in a cameo. She is currently directing and developing animation content at Lights and Shadows Pte. Ltd., Singapore.

MUSIC

The Philharmonic Winds

Since its formation in 2000, the Philharmonic Winds has endeavoured to present only meaningful, meticulously prepared concerts; scarce in quantity and unusual in content. In July 2005, the Philharmonic Winds was awarded a Gold with Distinction at the 15th World Music Contest, held every four years in Kerkrade, the Netherlands. A musical experience not to be missed!

5 November | 4.15pm & 5.45pm | Drama Centre Foyer, Level 3

Singapore Guitarist Network 2005

The local classical guitar event of the year! A first-of-its-kind collaborative event with a smorgasbord of guitar music! Catch well-known classical guitarist Mr. Ernest Kwok in action with an introduction by Cultural Medallion recipient Mr. Alex Abisheganaden, Music Director of the SGN 2005.

6 November | 4pm & 5.15pm | Drama Centre Foyer, Level 3

Magical Sounds of Gamelan
Gamelan Asmaradana

Unfamiliar with gamelan music? Let Gamelan Asmaradana take you on a musical journey featuring a mix of classical, folk and contemporary gamelan pieces. Don’t miss exciting modern gamelan pieces such as Ladrang Kampung and folksongs like Dayung Sampan, Lenggang Kangkong and Bengawan Solo where Chinese musical instruments like the guzheng and Chinese flute will perform with the gamelan.

6 November | 12pm & 2.30pm | Function Room 3, Level 3

Gamelan Workshop
Gamelan Asmaradana
`The enrichment workshops aim to give participants a hands-on experience of learning and playing the gamelan as well as give an introduction to the world of gamelan music. Beginning with a short demonstration by the musician, participants will then be introduced to the different instruments of the gamelan, and how they are played.`

7 & 8 November | Drama Centre Black Box, Level 5

1.30pm (Gamelan in Wayang Kulit)

3.30pm (Music for classical Javanese court dance)

TAG

This bubbly group of teenagers come from Temasek Secondary School and are headed by their teacher, Mr Jared Oh. Bounded by their passion for music and built on the bonds of friendship, these talented and enthusiastic teens will bring you popular hits with a dash of their own style and to top it off, they are accompanied by Singapore's Champion Beat Boxer 2005!

11 November | 2pm & 5pm | DC Black Box Foyer, Level 5

Expressions@The Plaza

Acapella! A treat for musical ears!

LaoLangs

The LaoLangs were specially formed for the Budak Look and Sound-A-Like contest two years ago and since then, it has been performing actively. Recently, it was also featured at the local AcappellaFest concert at Kallang Theatre. Made up of a bunch of good friends, theirs is an eclectic selection of folk, pop, acappella and more!

5 November | 2pm at Drama Centre Foyer, Level 3 | 5pm at The Plaza, Level 1

　

Verve Enharmonics

Friendship and the passion for acappella music is what this group thrives on. Formerly from the NUS acappella club they formed called Resonance, these five friends have moved on to develop a truly soulful groove as an ensemble. Watch out for their Bee Gees hits and more!

6 November | 5pm | The Plaza, Level 1

Taro the Dragon Boy
ACT 3 Theatrics

ACT 3 Theatrics transforms this colourful Japanese folktale into a dramatic storytelling that incorporates mime and masks. Watch how the masks give life to demure humans, grumpy Ogres, and Beings in-between, with a storyteller who illuminates the tale with nine character voices. Audience members will also be invited to try on masks and assume roles after the exciting show!

　

5 & 6 November | 2pm, 4pm & 6pm |The Plaza, Level 1

Crosstalk
Young People Performing Arts Ensemble

Come experience crosstalk, the traditional Chinese art of comic dialogue. Be entertained by rapidfire repartees and jokes brought to you by YPPAE. For enthusiasts, there is even a Chinese tongue twister workshop! So don’t miss out on the action!

5 November | 4pm | Function Room 3, Level 3

(Performance and workshop)

6 November | 12.30pm |The Plaza, Level 1

Source: www.nac.gov.sg News Release 26 Oct 2005

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Elsewhere, Elsewhen: Replica Project

Michael Lee