In response to the pandemic, many industries have had to pivot and make use of technology to better reach their audiences. The performing arts industry is no exception. Across the globe, art organisations have had to jump onto digital mediums to generate revenue. While there may be a stark contrast in terms of show experience, virtual performances have helped expand reach and attract a much bigger audience.
Zooming in closer to our side of the world, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA 2021) returns in a new format of live and digital programmes, presenting over 60 shows and 300 performances with artists from Switzerland, Australia, the USA, Lebanon, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines performing alongside hundreds of Singaporean artists.
For most of us who are still stuck at home, you can catch a series of curated art programmes, musical or dance performances, theatre, and international films up till the 20th June via a dedicated channel called SIFA on Demand. Here are our recommendations.
The Wandering by SAtheCollective & Pōtocol
This dance film choreographed by performance artist Rizman Putra centres around a typical Singaporean family. Having lost his job and respect from his wife and son, the main character takes them on a trip through memory lane, revisiting a childhood haunt. There, he has to confront the waiting ghosts of his past.
Three Sisters by Nine Years Theatre (Singapore) and SITI Company (USA)
Two renowned performance companies join forces in this retelling of Russian playwright Anton Chekov’s classic play. The three sisters – Olga, Masha, and Irina – who now reside in a provincial town, dream of returning to the cosmopolitan city where they grew up. The performance chronicles their relationships, frustrations, and search for meaning.
The Year of No Return by The Necessary Stage
Combining live performance with video presentation, this play explores the complications and humanity’s response to climate change. It features an astounding collaboration of artists from Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore,
OIWA – The Ghost of Yotsuya by The Finger Players
This tale of betrayal and revenge has been deemed the most famous Japanese ghost story of all time. Oiwa is a jilted wife who has been murdered by the family of her husband’s lover. This reinterpretation sees an ensemble of puppeteers and actors magically bringing this story to life.
