14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Try circus arts and catch street acts at Esplanade's Flipside festival
SINGAPORE – Try your hand at plate spinning, ball juggling or diabolo spinning at the Esplanade on June 7 and 8.
Held at the arts centre's Courtyard, the free circus arts worksho p targeted at young families is part of Flipside, an annual celebration of circus, puppetry, physical theatre and comedy.
The festival's theme is The Games We Play, so audiences are invited to revel in the joy of play. Over two weekends from May 30 to June 8, there will be a rollicking mix of local and international acts, with more than 20 free and ticketed workshops and performances.
Flipside started in 2004 as a light-hearted counterpoint to the then Singapore Arts Festival, but it has since evolved to focus on circus arts and a street festival vibe.
Ms Lynn Yang, 38, the festival's programmer, says : 'There isn't any other platform in Singapore that presents this kind of work, the type you might see at international street or fringe festivals. There's nothing else quite like it dedicated to this form here.'
Looking ahead, her focus is twofold. 'We want to support the development of local artists and their work within the festival, and grow the presence of Asian street, circus and puppetry artists,' she adds.
Hence, there will be local acts such as Lah Meh-Lions. They will present Sotong Games, directed by theatre-maker Isabella Chiam and choreographed by dance duo Rachel Lee and Marcus Tan, also known as ScRach MarcS. In the show, three quirky characters – Tina Tuna, Lionel Teo Soon Hock, and Muhd Hafish bin Tilapia – attempt to reconnect with one another and their audience through gameplay.
Specially written for Flipside, the show marks the third appearance of the Lah Meh-Lions at the festival. Comprisin g lo cal musical theatre performers, the group was first formed and presented at Flipside in 2019 as a three-person roving act.
Another local act theatremaker Dwayne Lau. His Snakes And Ladders: Life Edition! is a unique cabaret experience inspired by the classic childhood game. In the interactive one-man show, Lau navigates a life-size game board and shares stories and son gs a bout his journey as an actor in Singapore.
He first created and performed #Goals at the 2019 edition of the festival, and his heartfelt brand of autobiographical musical storytelling is always well-received.
Lau says his piece was inspired by Snakes And Ladders, the first game he learnt. 'I wanted to create something interactive and fu n. But I also wanted to share my ups and downs as an actor in Singapore. I felt like the game was an excellent metaphor.'
He adds that it was fun to think about the different memories from more than 20 years in the industry and to think of parodies that would excite and entertain the audience. He also wanted to create the element of chance to convey how he learnt to improvise and roll with the punches.
International productions to catch include Bill's 44th by American artists Andy Manjuck and Dorothy James. The non-verbal comedic puppet show, a New York Times Critic's Pick, is for adults and is performed with an original score with various styles of puppetry.
Another highlight is OVVIO by Kolektiv Lapso Cirk, comprising Barcelona-based circus duo David Diez Mendez and Tomas Vaclavek.
In their gravity-defying performance, they play a game of balance with simple planks of wood. Each action triggers a chain reaction, with planks, beams and makeshift constructions being built and dismantled in real time.
Ms Yang says the festival's keynote is fun. 'There's something really great that you can find at Flipside that takes you to a completely different place from your everyday life and work. It's a great weekend out.'
Book It/Flipside
Where: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive
When: May 30 to June 8
Admission: Free and ticketed
Info:
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