Be enthralled and enriched by performances that touch the heart and stimulate the senses at this annual celebration of the arts. This year, there are 14 ticketed and 66 free productions by over 500 artists and groups from Singapore and across the globe. Based on the theme, “Our Lost Poems”, this year’s works are inspired by myths, legends, wandering thoughts, reflections, lost riddles and hidden stories.

Vertical Road

 The Festival Village at Esplanade Park is where you can catch over 300 free performances – from jazz, blues and hip hop to dikir barat, an all-girl deejay bootcamp, film screenings and even a centaur appearance.

The Kids Arts Village at Esplanade Park, designed, curated, performed and managed entirely by kids, is anchored by a unique architectural performance installation called Tangle where kids of all ages are invited to build up the space.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

Photo: National Arts Council

Ciudades Paralelas (Parallel Cities)

Roof – Review

Photo: Tanja Dorendorf /

T+T Fotografie

HIGHLIGHTS

• Vertical Road by Akram Khan Company

1 & 2 June, 8pm

Esplanade Theatre

$20, $30, $50, $80, $100

This contemporary dance draws inspiration from the Sufi tradition and Persian poet and philosopher Rumi. An ensemble from across Asia, Europe and the Middle East come together in Anglo-Indian choreographer Akram Khan’s interpretation of the vertical connection between heaven and hell.

• The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Stephen Earnhart

25 May, 8pm; 26 May, 3pm & 8pm

Esplanade Theatre

$20, $30, $50, $80, $110

Based on Haruki Murakami’s novel of the same name, this visual, epic staging uses a wide mix of art forms including bunraku-style puppetry, shadowplay, film and live music.

LEAR DREAMING

Photo: National Arts Council

• LEAR DREAMING by Theatreworks

31 May & 1 June, 8pm

School Of The Arts Drama Theatre

$25, $45

Based on Ong Keng Sen’s acclaimed Lear, it features a juxtaposition of different Asian cultures, languages and art forms, distilling the Shakespearean tragedy on patriarchy and succession through the purity of Japanese Noh theatre.

• Ciudades Paralelas (Parallel Cities)

18 – 20 May, 24 – 26 May, 31 May – 2 June, 6.30pm, 8pm & 9.30pm

Various venues

$25

A series of projects that brings audiences to unconventional theatre spaces. Upon entry, audiences are immersed in environments that are familiar, yet often overlooked. Real life is blended with art and theatrics to give a new perspective to the way audiences see reality.

FOR MORE INFO

www.singaporeartsfest.com