Welcome to the third Festival of Asian Performing Arts (FAPA).
The Festival showcases Asian performing arts and those of Singapore's multi-ethnic communities. The current interest in Asia due to recent economic growth gives the Festival greater relevance and significance.
This year, the nearly month-long Festival held from 1 to 27 June, has lined up an exciting programme with 22 local and foreign productions from 12 countries involving 1,500 artists.
Asian Attractions
Music theatre is strongly represented with three musicals. Ri Koran by the Shiki Theatrical Company is based on the life of singer and actress Li Xianglan during the Sino-Japanese War and marks the first performance of an Asian musical in Singapore. Action Theatre makes its debut with the heart-warming Chang and Eng, based on the real life story of the famous Siamese twins. Sriwana presents the romantic Geylang Serai Karam (Geylang Serai Sinks), a journey of friendship and love.
The Festival also premieres the first locally-written western Opera, Bunga Mawar, a collaboration between poet Professor Edwin Thumboo, composer Leong Yoon Pin, the Singapore Lyric Theatre and director Hugh Halliday who brought Aida to Singapore last year. Another first is the performance of the Shaanxi Opera Theatre's Hero of the Silk Road - Zhang Qian.
Watch out for dance companies such as Indonesia's Gumarang Sakti Dance Company and Ballet Philippines, two contemporary companies that have brought new meaning to traditional dance. Tne Qawwali ensemble Sabri Brothers bring their soulful songs and chants. Equally exciting are the Chitrasena Dance Company, the Ergyron — Chukotko-Eskimo Folk Ensemble from Siberia and the Caucasus Folk Dance Ensemble.
Experimental and cutting-edge programmes are also included in FAPA '97. Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, Yokohama Boat Theater, Shanghai People's Art Theatre's production of Amy Tan's popular novel The Joy Luck Club and our own TheatreWorks’ production of Workhorse Afloat — are all exciting experiments with different forms, idioms and interpretations.
An Asian Experience — Festival Village
A first for FAPA ‘97 is the creation of a Festival Village in Fort Canning Park. From 1 to 5 June, the Village will present a medley of performances that form part of the social and religious fabric of Asian village life: the Kecak and Fire Dance from Bali; giant drums from the village of Jiangzhou, China; aboriginal hill tribes from Taiwan; and from India, the Yakshagana Theatre Troupe. As an added treat, traditional food can also be sampled in the Village.
Fringe 1997
The Festival's outreach arm offers free, mainly outdoor performances between 2 and 10 June. Highlights include Chinese operas, bangsawan, Indian theatre and a P Ramlee Concert Special featuring the songs of the famous late actor and singer. There will be performances to enjoy while shopping in neighbourhoods and shopping centres, or strolling in the Botanic Gardens.
Finally, I would like to thank our generous sponsors, donors and volunteers for their help in making the Festival a success.
Join us in celebrating the arts of Asia. Do take advantage of the package booking incentives. Enjoy yourself!
– Liu Thai Ker (National Arts Council Chairman)
(Source: National Arts Council Programme)