Inside look at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre which opens with new commissions in October

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The new $30 million Singtel Waterfront Theatre has been described as "black box on steroids" by its head of technical production.
The much anticipated performing arts space is opening in Oct, the Esplanade's 20th anniversary.

SINGAPORE - A black box on steroids is how Mr Kenny Wong, head of technical production at The Esplanade Co Ltd, describes the new Singtel Waterfront Theatre.

The much anticipated mid-sized performing arts space is opening in Oct, the Esplanade's 20th anniversary month. Media got a sneak peek on Thursday (Aug 18) at what to expect at the building, the first standalone purpose-built performing arts space in Singapore since the arts centre itself was built in 2002.

The original plans for the Esplanade included a mid-sized theatre which was cut for budget considerations.

The new $30 million building, says the Esplanade's chief executive Yvonne Tham, "is not going to be pretty like the Concert Hall and Theatre. There's a lot of raw concrete in this theatre."

The arts centre received $10 million in government funding and another $10 million from telco Singtel. It has to raise the remaining $10 million.

The space fills a much needed gap in the infrastructure scene, which lacks mid-sized venues.

Situated on a tight 5,000 square metre space is a box that can hold up to 700 standing room patrons or 611 seats in a traditional proscenium setting.

The seats can also be reconfigured for a performance in the round, or a traverse arrangement, giving performing arts companies more flexibility. These arrangements can accommodate everything from experimental new theatre works to traditional performing arts to circus acts.

The space has the intimacy of a black box, but the technical capacities of a proper theatre, says Ms Tham.

The theatre's design prioritised dance and theatre needs as these were "the two genres that would most need a mid-sized venue", she adds.

The space has the intimacy of a black box, but the technical capacities of a proper theatre. ST PHOTO: FELINE LIM

The opening season, titled In New Light, will test the venue's capabilities with five new commissions, dominated by homegrown brand names, some of whom have grown up with the Esplanade.

Kicking off the show on Oct 12 is Dancing With Light, the first projection mapping installation at the arts venue which will also include performance elements.

Audiences can get up close and personal to dancers and explore the set in Infinitely Closer by The Human Expression (T.H.E) Dance Company. Created by T.H.E founder and choreographer Kuik Swee Boon, the production will include 3D sound and 3D mapping on the dancers' bodies.

A more intimate affair is music legend Margaret Leng-Tan's autobiographical Dragon Ladies Don't Weep in which she revisits her storied career.

The space fills a much needed gap in the infrastructure scene, which lacks mid-sized venues. ST PHOTO: FELINE LIM

Kingdoms Apart will immerse the audience, seated in the round, in an ambitious contemporary take on The Mahabharata by playwright-director Chong Tze Chien.

Indonesia's Papermoon Puppet Theatre will return with Stream Of Memory, where audiences can choose to sit on chairs or the floor for a tale inspired by rivers which bind urban lives and communities.

There is something for music fans too. RATA Orkestra led by musician Safuan Johari brings together an eclectic ensemble of musicians from various genres to experiment with new soundscapes.

A changing room for performers at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade. ST PHOTO: FELINE LIM

While some of these programmes are ticketed, Ms Tham says the Esplanade wants to encourage interaction with the new space, and welcome visitors in the same way the "durians" have become an integral part of Singapore's urban fabric and cultural life.

The building's foyer is small, which means theatregoers will spill out onto the lawn that connects the space to the Annexe as well as to the waterfront, which has street furniture and F&B kiosks.

Ms Tham notes: "Many of our performing arts venues are hidden away. This theatre is at the street level. It is nice to have that intimacy."


Book it

What: In New Light
Where: Singtel Waterfront Theatre
When: Oct 12 to Dec 31
Admission: From $30 for ticketed events. Free admission for Dancing With Light.
Info: This website

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