Back for its 20th year, The Studios, a series that reimagines contemporary theatre and performance, returns with Fault Lines, showcasing works that challenge boundaries in theatre and performance. Fault Lines, the second part of the Land trilogy at Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay’s contemporary theatre season, explores theatre productions, talks, and programmes that delve into the influential forces – shaping our collective and individual paths.
Here's a lineup of seven thought-provoking programmes that remind us that the arts are an essential part of our collective humanity, helping us navigate life’s complexities and make sense of the insensible.
1. Air (12 - 14 July)
Step into the world of Air, a verbatim play that echoes the vibrant stories of the Orang Seletar, an indigenous community of Singapore's coast. Through their own words, witness their struggles and determination to fiercely safeguard their heritage and identity against modern challenges. First staged in 2019 as part of the acclaimed double bill, “Tanah•Air”, this new version of “Air” builds upon the themes introduced in the play's initial staging.
Catch Air at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade. Tickets are priced from $40.2. Rhapsody in Yellow: A Lecture-Performance with Two Pianos (16 - 17 August)
Ever seen ping-pong diplomacy and classical piano in the same sentence? Enter Rhapsody in Yellow, where two classical pianists blend American and Chinese musical styles, accompanied by archival footage and spoken word. From ping-pong diplomacy to political theatrics, this is a symphonic adventure that intertwines cultural exchange with broader historical and global narratives.
Catch Rhapsody in Yellow at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade. Tickets are priced from $40.3. Yellow Rhapsodies and Homelands: Music as Social Memory and Ideology (17 Aug)
Explore the magic of music through the lenses of artists Ming Wong and Wichaya Artamat, alongside researcher Phan Ming Yen. Discover how melodies resonate with our human need to connect and belong, shaping our identities through sound and rhythm.
Catch Yellow Rhapsodies and Homelands: Music as Social Memory and Ideology at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade. Event is free, but registration is required.4. Time-lapse: In Conversation with Ming Wong and Sim Chi Yin (24 August)
Unveil the hidden tales of archives with artists Ming Wong, Sim Chi Yin, and Dr. June Yap. Delve into the artistic processes and motivations behind Ming Wong and Sim Chi Yin's performances as they dissect the intersections of history, identity, and innovation.
Catch Time-lapse: In Conversation with Ming Wong and Sim Chi Yin at the Esplanade White Room. Event is free, but registration is required.
5. One Day We’ll Understand 有那么一天 (30 August - 1 September)
Experience the compelling exploration of visual artist Sim Chi Yin’s family history during the Malayan Emergency at One Day We’ll Understand 有那么一天. Uncover themes of memory, identity, and the enduring impact of colonialism in this multimedia performance, featuring a mix of visuals and a live score by percussionist Cheryl Ong.
Catch One Day We’ll Understand 有那么一天 at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade. Tickets are priced from $40.6. Performance-making with Tamara Saulwick (1 September)
Get an insider’s look into the creative process of acclaimed performance-maker and director, Tamara Saulwick. Gain valuable insights as she shares how she crafts works like Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep featuring Margaret Leng Tan and One Day We’ll Understand featuring Sim Chi Yin by blending multiple elements to create a captivating and unforgettable story.
Catch Performance-making with Tamara Saulwick at the Esplanade White Room. Tickets are priced from $25.
7. This Song Father Used to Sing (Three Days in May) (6 - 7 September)
Join a brother and sister in their Bangkok kitchen as they navigate three days in May, each in a different calendar year, to honour their late father. This Song Father Used to Sing (Three Days in May) weaves together past, present, and future, while also offering an unfiltered glimpse into Thailand's political landscape.
Catch This Song Father Used to Sing (Three Days in May) at the Esplanade Theatre Studio. Tickets are priced from $30.Explore compelling narratives and thought-provoking productions that delve deep into the complexities of our world, offering a deep reflection on the shared human experience through the lens of art.
Don’t miss Fault Lines happening from 12 July to 7 September 2024 at Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. Admission is free for some.Image credits: Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay and Wichaya Artamat.
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