While further restrictions may somewhat dim the lights on the annual performing arts festival, our support for the arts—and the artists who are dedicated to putting out great work—should never wane. Here’s how you can still enjoy the festival digitally
Just two days after the Singapore International Festival of Arts (Sifa) opened on May 14, Singapore introduced further restrictions under Phase 2 heightened alert to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
Sifa swiftly made adjustments to its existing safe management measures by capping capacity at 100 audience members for selected live shows (with a corresponding refund exercise), along with a reduced capacity for the Oldham Theatre, where its Singular Screens programme is being held.
The festival’s opening weekend saw the opening of five live productions: festival commission The Commission and a tribute concert to homegrown jazz icon Louis Soliano with A Song For Louis, as well as Cosmogony, En Route and Tactility Studies: Hold To Reset.
Related: Singapore International Festival of Arts 2021: A 'Phygital' Festival Reimagined for the Future
Since then, some shows had to be cancelled, including upcoming performances this week. But all is not lost as audiences can still look forward to enjoying Sifa digitally throughout the festival period until May 30. SIFA On Demand will take place from June 5 to 12 on Sistic Live. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Some shows will go on
There will be reduced capacity for the following festival commissions: Three Sisters, The Year of No Return, Oiwa – The Ghost of Yotsuya, and A Dream Under the Southern Bough: Existence.
In addition, and in line with the Ministry of Health guidelines, patrons will need to undergo an on-site pre-event testing (PET), which is quick and painless with results within 30 minutes. Patrons who have been vaccinated at least 14 days prior are exempt from PET.
Meanwhile, the audience capacity of Alone Together will be reduced to 50. Ticketing agent Sistic will be in touch with those affected.
Other live programmes such as Demon States, Gardens Speak and Neveleven will still keep to their original small audience numbers.