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Singapore International Festival of Arts examines gender issues

July 4th, 2014 | Events, News

After a year-long hiatus, the annual arts festival series returns as the all-new Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA). Led by Festival Director Ong Keng Sen, the Festival starts on 26 June beginning with a 17-day pre-festival programme, The O.P.E.N., and  culminating with SIFA and its stellar line-up of 13 acts ending on 21 September.

Some events under The O.P.E.N. and SIFA delve into issues around gender  – violence, sexuality, freedom. Pairs of tickets to four shows will be available as prizes at AWARE’s Crystal Ball on 25 August.

Programme highlights

mamele

Explore issues of identity, gender and social freedom facing South Africa today at Double-bill: I Stand Corrected/Hatched. This highly-charged double bill features South-African choreographer/performer Mamela Nyamza and British-Nigerian writer/performer Mojisola Adebayo. I Stand Corrected is an artistic response to the violent epidemic of ‘corrective’ hate rape in South Africa, while Hatched articulates the poignant realities faced by Nyamza in trying to find her place in the world.

28 – 30 August | 8pm – 10.40pm
Venue: 72–13 Mohamed Sultan Road

MEDEA on Media is the most unique adaptation of the Greek classic you will see in awhile. This highly innovative contemporary Korean theatre group Seongbukdong Beedoolkee merges 21st century mass media with the tragedy that is Medea. Jason and Medea’s fight unfolds as a talk-show. The revenge is enacted as a video game. The original plotline preserved but expertly deconstructed by folds of Brechtian techniques.

3 – 5 July, 8pm-9.30pm
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Theatre Studio

Brave and compassionate, Disabled Theater brings you into the world of professional actors with learning disabilities in a transformative and emotional performance. Through a series of questions and simple tasks, the actors introduce themselves and their extraordinary abilities. As they perform personal solo dances which they choreographed, Disabled Theater exposes their vulnerabilities — yet it also reveals remarkable capacity, joy and freedom.

3-6 September
8pm, SOTA Drama Theatre

Ticket details:
Tickets for SIFA shows area available at varying prices from $35 onwards. Visit the SIFA website or SISTIC to buy your tickets now.