Singapore Government Press Release

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Theatre is one of the most visible and vibrant components of the performing arts scene in Singapore. As an artform, its immediacy and power in engaging the audience is well known since time immemorial. In the last ten years, we have seen the rapid growth of many theatre companies in the four languages. This is a significant indicator of our communities’ level of cultural awareness, development and vision towards realising a gracious society.

2 There are many indications that artists in Singapore have grown in number and raised their standard of artistic achievement in the last decade. The audience too has increased in number and in their level of arts appreciation. The government’s active encouragement of the arts played a critical role in broadening our audience base and creating a positive attitude towards the arts. This has been made possible through the government’s concerted efforts in motivating, funding, sponsoring, organising and promoting many diverse arts events.

3 Theatre has benefitted from these efforts. It is also important to note that though theatre companies in Singapore have attained maturity in content and form, professionalism in training and practice, there is still a glaring absence of critical dialogue between the practitioner and the audience. Without critical engagement, art cannot reach new heights. In every thriving contemporary arts scene, there is usually a lot of discussion and debate on the necessity and validity of the artists’ works. Art criticism generates interest and also stimulates a deeper consciousness in arts appreciation.

4 Singapore aspires to become a global city for the arts. Notwithstanding articles on Singapore theatre in local journals and academic papers, and in newspapers and magazines, we still need more theatre critics. Theatre practitioners must engage not only with the audience but also with the impartial views of critics – art theorists, sociologists, academics and other artists. Healthy dialogues on their works will provide artists with necessary feedback and challenges.

5 The Necessary Stage must be applauded for understanding the importance of theatre criticism in producing this timely publication – Nine Lives: 10 Years of Singapore Theatre. This book is an important landmark for the Singapore theatre scene. It is a first but firm step in developing wider critical engagement with the arts. It is also the first time that Singapore theatre is being examined from a wider perspective and viewpoint by academics and theatre-practitioners, combining hard-won experience with theoretical knowledge, from Singapore and overseas. I look forward to similar critical ventures by other artists and writers in the performing arts scene here.

6 I congratulate The Necessary Stage on this publication and hereby launch Nine Lives: 10 years of Singapore Theatre.