Upcoming theatre and dance performances in Singapore

We all know of Henry VIII and the fact that he had six wives, but we never get to hear about the lives of these six women even though they were a part of Henry VIII’s key moments during his tumultuous reign as king. SIX the Musical switches up the perspective and allows these women to reclaim their narratives – all the while singing a series of pop-inspired musical numbers. The spectacular musical first debuted at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017, and has gone on to become a symbol of female empowerment by highlighting the strengths and resilience of Henry VIII’s wives.

In celebration of Pride Month, one of Singapore’s theatre powerhouses, Wild Rice, will be staging an original play titled trans:mission. This marks the first work in Singapore that is fully directed, written, and performed by trans people. trans:mission highlights the challenges that trans people face in Singapore and opens up the discussion on gender and sexuality by spotlighting the lived experiences of the trans community.

The last time Miss Saigon graced Singapore’s stage was 23 years ago at the Kallang Theatre. The beloved tragedy will be making its return this August for a limited period of time. Miss Saigon first premiered in 1989, and tells the story of a Vietnamese bargirl, Kim, and her romance with an American Marine sergeant named Chris. The two eventually get married, with Chris promising to take Kim back to America with him, only for the two to be separated after the fall of Saigon. Don’t miss this spectacular musical – after this run, it might not be back for another 23 years.

Embrace absurdity and uniqueness at Esplanade’s Flipside, a 10-day programme filled with circus acts, puppetry, physical theatre, and comedy. Look for humour and meaning in the every day as these acts take ordinary objects like household items and give them unexpected meaning and form. Look forward to a mix of local and international acts, be it a hilarious 30-minute comedy sketch by Improvper Conduct or a whimsical acrobatics performance by Spanish performance troupe Mumusic Circus.

The internet’s beloved animated pig Peppa Pig will be taking the stage in June with a musical titled Peppa Pig’s Adventure. Watch your favourite characters like Peppa and George come to life and embark on an exciting camping adventure. Following a successful UK tour, Peppa Pig’s Adventure debut in Singapore will feature mascots, life-sized puppets, and a multitude of catchy songs that will leave you humming the tunes of after the show. Don’t miss out on this oink-tastic production with your little ones this June holiday.

Families should not miss the Emmy award-winning theatre sensation Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show. The popular show first premiered in Bluey’s hometown, Brisbane, and has seen sell-out shows across Australia, the UK, Ireland, and North America. Now, it makes its Asia debut at Singapore’s Sands Theatre from 13 June 2024. At Bluey’s Big Play, catch Bluey, Bingo, Mum, and Dad live in action against impressively designed sets. This theatre show will be based on a fresh original story written by creator Joe Brumm, with accompanying new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush.

Local dance company The Human Expression’s contemporary dance festival is back again for its 14th edition, with this year’s theme spotlighting human connection and how movement helps us to understand each other and ourselves better. This year’s festival brings together six performances and 30 classes and workshops from local and international dancers. Highlights include the free 40-minute performance Dance the Dusk showcasing the explosiveness of dance; and Elusive – a double bill, a collaborative performance with acclaimed choreographers Kim Jae Duk and Ginevra Panzetti. The performance is also paired with an excerpt of the upcoming work Hawla by Klievert Jon Mendoza, set to premiere in 2025. Look forward to workshops by international dancers like Taiwan’s Chang Chien-Hao, South Korea’s Kim Jae Duk, and Australia’s Billy Keohavong. These workshops range from beginner to advanced, so anyone interested in dance can sign up.

Originally written by renowned Mongolian writer and poet Lkhagvasuren Bavuu in 1998, The Mongol Khan revolves around the evolution of Mongolian culture, drawing inspiration from various historical events, archaeological findings, and traditional nomadic dances. This large-scale production will feature 70 actors, dancers, and musicians, accompanied by top-notch sets and costumes, original music, and puppetry which are sure to be a feast for the eyes.

Embark on an emotional journey with visual artist Sim Chi Yin as she delves into her family history and their struggles during the Malayan Emergency. This multimedia performance showcases Sim’s photographic and filmic work in the form of a documentary combined with archival footage, and an emotive live score by percussionist Cheryl Ong. Uncover the history of Sim’s grandfather, whose memory was erased and hidden by her family, and gain insights into Chinese diasporic experiences and the long legacy of colonialism.

Get transported to this tiny kitchen space in Bangkok, where a brother and sister of Thai-Chinese descent gather every year to commemorate their deceased father. Set across three years, This Song Father Used to Sing explores the ever-changing political landscape of the Thai metropolis, and how this pair of siblings navigate through life despite its ups and downs. This play first premiered in 2015, and has gone on to win Best Play by the International Theatre Critics Association in 2016. The production has also toured major European festivals including Zurich’s Theater Spektakel and Vinna’s Wiener Festwochen.

Set after the tragic events of 9/11, Disgraced explores themes of identity and religion in the contemporary world, highlighting how radical Islamic beliefs have affected society’s perception of Muslims. We follow Amir, a South Asian man with Muslim roots who has found success as a lawyer in America, and his struggle to fully accept his religion. Disgraced showcases the clash between modernity and faith, and offers a look into how one defines themselves during a turbulent time.

Hailing all the way from China, the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts has created an original dance drama based on one of the Chinese Four Great Classics, The Dream Of Red Mansions. The production focuses on the romantic rivalry and friendship between Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu, and Xue Baochai. This modern reimagination of the 18th century classic tells the love story through graceful and elegant dance scenes drawn from ancient paintings’ aesthetics and Chinese antiquity. The Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts is known for marrying tradition and the modern, incorporating contemporary techniques into traditional classical works. The company was established in 2001 and has won 18 Plum Blossom Prizes and 21 Wen Hua Awards.

Who says you need a time machine to travel back in time? With OH! Open House's new permanent immersive art experience, all you need is a pair of comfy shoes, inquisitive eyes, a good listening ear, and a whole lotta curiosity. 

Following its "sleepwalking" digital art trail Days — and counting, the independent art organisation is back on the streets to tempt you with a site-specific, multisensory walk around Jalan Besar.