A sonic experience in the dark, a giant puppet coming to life, an electronic music piece that is composed by you and interactive art installations – these are among the highlights at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s Flipside.
The 10-day festival, which is set to be held from May 25 to June 3, will see Esplanade transformed with unconventional performances, comedy, large-scale installations, and arts and technology experiences taking place all around the centre. Take a break this mid-year to play and discover the arts from a different and refreshing angle, with about 200 performances and activities to choose from.
Shireen Abdullah, Producer, The Esplanade Co Ltd, said, “Flipside is a festival of arts performances and experiences for the adventurous or the uninitiated. It invites you to play, imagine and consider different ways of seeing and thinking. It is about flipping one’s conventional idea of what the arts can be, and the festival seeks to present works and artists that spark curiosity and ignite the imagination.’
‘This year, we are happy to commission a new work by Singapore composer and musical director Julian Wong who collaborates with fellow musicians, vocalists and designers to create a one-of-a-kind musical and sonic experience in the dark. Look out for our late-night programmes including an after-dark backstage tour of Esplanade, as well as an interactive installation that allows you to compose your very own electronic music,” she added.
This year, the festival supports the creation of a new production – Sensing the Dark – helmed by one of Singapore’s leading composers and musical directors Julian Wong. From writing scores for both homegrown and foreign productions and even composing the music score for the fireworks display at the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, this time for Flipside, Wong works with other veteran Singapore theatre designers to put together a one-of-a-kind musical and sonic experience in the dark. Audiences will be treated to a journey of music and voices with original tunes and familiar favourites such as One Voice by Barry Manilow, Angel by Sarah McLachlan and Robert Schumann’s Traumerei, in an intimately designed space combined with subtle lighting effects, an unusual setting that will surprise and awaken one’s senses.
Flipside also explores the presentation of work that brings technology into the arts in inventive ways. Taking inspiration from a game arcade, the Esplanade Concourse will be transformed into the ARTcade where bite-sized, pop up performances will take place alongside a variety of interactive experiences involving creative technology and craft.