Sifa 2025 Week Two: What audiences say

Straits Times

25-05-2025

Audiences at Sifa shows such as The Sea And Its Neighbourhood share their thoughts. ST PHOTOS: GABRIELLE MARIE SUNDERAJ, DORCAS LIM
SINGAPORE – The Singapore International Festival of Arts (Sifa) 2025 kicked off on May 16 and runs till June 1.
With the theme of More Than Ever, the tentpole performing arts festival organised by Arts House Limited has lined up varied shows, from crowd-pleasing comedy headlined by ever-popular actor Hossan Leong and family-friendly fare at Little Sifa to Drama Box's participatory theatre piece Hello Is This Working? and the more intimate Japanese Occupation-era tale A Thousand Stitches.
The Straits Times speaks to some attendees to get their impressions of the shows.
Lear, SOTA Studio Theatre, May 23, 8pm
Pammela Ng, 29, software engineer: 'This is the first Sifa Performance I have watched, and it is definitely a very new experience for me. The acting really stood out to me , it was very emotional. Even though there were no words, every single movement made by each of the actors was so well calculated and well timed with the music. I now have a new plan to attend more Sifa performances.'
Ms Pammela Ng and Mr Joseph Ong after watching Lear at Sota Studio Theatre.
ST PHOTO: GABRIELLE MARIE SUNDERAJ
Arthi Nachammai, 18, student: 'I didn't expect that there would be no lines in the performance. So, when I first watched it, that first scene was very powerful. It was so full of energy, with the lights and sound, and even the vibration in the seats. It was a very audience-engaging experience. The coordination between the three supporting actors was incredible, and their eyes spoke volumes. Being a theatre kid who has directed a school show before, I could learn so much from what was going on.'
Arti Nachammai after watching Lear at Sota Studio Theatre.
ST PHOTO: GABRIELLE MARIE SUNDERAJ
Miriam Cheong, 30, theatre practitioner: 'Ramesh Meyyappan's performance was beautiful from the moment he stepped onstage. I was invested. I didn't quite know exactly what would happen, but I was ready for the next hour. When I watched it, I instantly thought it was different. It is not often you get to watch such purely non-verbal theatre in Singapore. Yes, we have a lot of physical theatre here , but it was physical in a way that was different, it embodied emotion.'
Miriam Cheong after watching Lear at Sota Studio Theatre.
ST PHOTO: GABRIELLE MARIE SUNDERAJ
A Thousand Stitches, Drama Centre Black Box, May 23, 8pm
Evi Marmar, 48, museum guide: 'I thought it was very well done. I liked the combination of the different media, so I found it quite impressive. I also enjoyed the story because it's a part of the history of Singapore that I find very interesting. It's nice to see it in a different way and presented more from like a human point of view – not just finding the enemy and the friend, because nothing is so clear.'
Evi Marmar watched A Thousand Stitches at Drama Centre Black Box.
ST PHOTO: DORCAS LIM
Joel Gn, 43, lecturer: 'It presented a side of the Japanese Occupation that is not often discussed or raised in history books, like how the Japanese felt about it and what the Japanese living in Singapore were going through at that time. I would definitely recommend this show to others, it is really good.'
Joel Gn watched A Thousand Stitches at Drama Centre Black Box.
ST PHOTO: DORCAS LIM
Zhanhui Wong, 38, events coordinator: 'I enjoyed the little parts – there were a lot of fun effects. It tackles a lot of aspects of history that we are not normally used to, but they do it in a pretty fun way.'
Zhanhui Wong watched A Thousand Stitches at Drama Centre Black Box.
ST PHOTO: DORCAS LIM
Simran Kotak, 39, entrepreneur: 'It was like just two people and very few props. Minimal stuff but maximum impact. It's a very impactful and powerful production. I've also seen Animal Farm, and am going to watch Hossan-ah In The High Arts on May 31. I am enjoying Sifa very much.'
Mrs Simran Kotak (left) and Mr Vir Kotak (right) watched A Thousand Stitches at Drama Centre Black Box.
ST PHOTO: DORCAS LIM
Little SIFA, Empress Lawn, May 24, 11am to 10pm
Law Ding Ying, 41, clinical research professional: ' It was very nice. The event was very family-friendly. I appreciate all the effort and all the volunteers. I was really looking forward to The Purple Symphony showcase as I've known of them, but have never had the chance to watch them live. I really want my two sons to be exposed to them as well. This place is marvellous – it's immersive and interactive.'
Tabitha Anaia, nine, student: 'I like the show. The musicians played so well. I enjoyed doing cartwheels around the lawn and listening to the music. I had a lot of fun today despite the heat.'
Tabitha Anaia (third from right) and Alula Agnimaya (fourth from right) with their friends and family during Little Sifa at Empress Lawn.
ST PHOTO: GABRIELLE MARIE SUNDERAJ
Alula Agnimaya, 9, student: 'The pianist in the showcase was really good. I had fun at the bracelet making booth too.'
Lau Su Anne, 38, finance and operations manager: 'The children singing onstage were very talented. I hope one day my daughter will also like music. She was clapping her hands and cheering throughout the performance. This is my first time watching a show like this with my daughter, who is 15 months old. She's just started to walk and respond to things, so I can tell she loved it. She is too young to try the activities, but we enjoyed the music and the orchestra nonetheless.'
Lau Su Anne with her husband and 15-month-old daughter during Little Sifa at Empress Lawn.
ST PHOTO: GABRIELLE MARIE SUNDERAJ
Dhiraj Nanda, 38, finance professional: 'The House Between The Winds (installation work) was very raw and organic, and it's something special for children to understand and experience. This was definitely a nice family event to attend, and it is our first time watching a performance together.'
Hossan-AH! In The High Arts, Bedok Town Square, May 24, 8pm
Dutta Aania, 15, student: 'It was like a concert in public and it was really nice. He sang songs that we all know and it's really funny. I love that I can just pop by any time next time if it's happening again and just watch.'
Yamin Thant, 15, student: 'I liked the show very much because he was really entertaining. He sang a lot of songs that are very popular and I especially like La Vie En Rose , the French song . I think the fact that the performances are free is really good, because it increases the outreach and public exposure to the arts. Most of the arts performances are ticketed, but now you don't have to pay. You can just sit down and watch with your family and friends. I will definitely be down for more Sifa shows because they are very entertaining.'
Yamin Thant after watching Hossan-Ah! In The High Arts at Bedok Town Square.
ST PHOTO: DORCAS LIM
Suani Azlan, 57, housewife: 'The show was really good. If I had to rate the show out of 10, I will give it a 10. It was excellent. I will go for more shows in the future, especially if they're free. I knew that these shows were happening because there are posters around. I'm also aware that there are shows tomorrow, and I will be coming down again. '
Suani Azlan after watching Hossan-Ah! In The High Arts at Bedok Town Square.
ST PHOTO: DORCAS LIM
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