Esplanade’s The Studios invites audiences to reflect on their relationship with the land

Amid the relentless march of urbanisation worldwide, the profound impact of rapid development on the landscape has become evident. From the demolition of heritage buildings to make way for sleek skyscrapers to the clearing of forests for new highways, the changes to our environment have been stark and significant.

In the face of ongoing discourse on urbanisation and the increasingly pressing problem of climate change, issues such as natural heritage, the environmental crisis and the relationship between nostalgia and preservation take centre stage at this year’s edition of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s The Studios. 

PROBING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LAND

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, The Studios – a platform that has curated an eclectic collection of more than 160 productions in the last two decades – presents an intriguing line-up that runs till Sep 10. 

As with previous iterations, this season will feature works that challenge the boundaries of theatre and performance, engaging with some of the most pertinent societal concerns of our time.

The subject for the 2023 to 2025 editions of The Studios is “Land” – an aspect of our lives that is both vast and unknowable, yet deeply intimate and personal. More than an examination of the physical landscape, the overarching theme – and its 2023 sub-theme of “Landings” – seeks to draw attention to our dependence on the surrounding environment and the people within it to foster a sense of identity and belonging.

“As the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade was being built, we found photos of the Marina Bay area that showed how dramatically the landscape has changed over the last 20 years,” said Lynn Yang, producer at Esplanade. “Given this visual reminder and the current local and global discourse, choosing land as the central motif felt both timely and fitting.”

A NEW VENUE, A WIDER FOCUS

This year, The Studios is expanding beyond its long-time home at the Esplanade Theatre Studio to encompass presentations at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre, which opened in October 2022. 

This expansion is mirrored in the programming’s geographic composition, which had previously centred on promoting Singapore-based creatives. This year, both local and international artists have been invited to showcase their works, fostering an exchange of ideas, stories and viewpoints within the two venues.

“Over the past 20 years, there have been shifts in the local theatre landscape, changes in Esplanade’s infrastructure and a growing urgency to engage in today’s difficult conversations. This year’s edition of The Studios was a chance for us to take stock of and broaden the perspectives and voices presented,” shared Yang.
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This season promises six riveting productions and nine companion programmes designed not only to stimulate intellectual engagement but to also appeal to the senses and emotions, encouraging audiences to immerse themselves fully in the artistic works and the issues raised. 

THEATRE PRODUCTIONS TO CATCH THIS SEASON

Among the highly anticipated plays is The Necessary Stage’s Three Years in the Life and Death of Land, written and directed by resident playwright Haresh Sharma and featuring original music compositions by Hossan Leong, along with new songs and arrangements by Safuan Johari. The poignant and comedic production, first staged in 1994, explores themes of love, relationships and life’s inevitable circumstances through the lens of two families.

“The topic of land – and, by extension, notions of home, identity, nostalgia and memory – has been explored in generations of local theatre. Three Years in the Life and Death of Land was written 30 years ago in a very different world and context, yet much of the work remains relevant today,” said Yang. “In commissioning this, we wanted to see how it resonates with a new generation.”

Another eagerly awaited theatre showcase is Mosaic, a coming-of-age narrative that follows three friends and a stranger who gather to protest the demolition of an old playground in Ang Mo Kio, only to find themselves thrust into a cycle of reckoning, destruction, loss and letting go. Written by Joel Tan and directed by Tan Shou Chen, Mosaic is a witty look at the rose-tinted hues of nostalgia and the uncertainty of change.

“Mosaic delves into a stage of life we’re all familiar with – the idealistic optimism of youth and its follies. It’s about how we navigate our identities and relationships when we’re not quite sure of who we are yet,” said Yang.

Whether you’re passionate about the environment or heritage conservation, or simply seeking thought-provoking art, The Studios presents an opportunity for audiences to contemplate and make sense of our collective human experience with the land around us.

“Besides the main productions, there will be thoughtful panel discussions, opportunities to write creatively in response to the environment, as well as excursions to learn about local flora and fauna,” shared Yang. “With this line-up, we hope that The Studios can provide a space for dialogue, reflection and the exchange of ideas.”

Book your tickets to Esplanade’s The Studios today.