Flipside Festival 2019
We’re always on the lookout for places and events in town to kill time and lepak at. And from free local gigs at the Outdoor Theatre to the scenic view from their Rooftop Garden, Esplanade is always a main go-to location.
Between 24th May to 2nd June 2019, the venue will transform into a massive carnival-like space for Flipside Festival, a celebration of art and theatre that’s perfect to visit with your friends and family. From free circus shows to analysing your smartphone usage, here’s what you can look forward to at the 10-day event:
1. Find out what kind of social media “personality” you have
If you’ve always wished you could go under the Sorting Hat in Harry Potter and better understand what kind of personality you have, here’s something that comes just as close. The Social Sorting Experiment is a free-standing 45-minute experimental performance, where audiences participate in an interactive activity to analyse their social media habits.
Image credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
From your double-tapped ‘likes’ to the type of posts you share on your feed, you’ll get to understand yourself a lil’ more- and perhaps even give you better control over how you spend your free time in the future!
Rather than usual theatre productions that have you seated and tell you to put your distractions away, you’re fully encouraged to whip out your phone and engage in discussion with your fellow participants in this case.
Video credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Date: 24th-26th May 2019
Time: Fri: 8PM | Sat: 5PM & 8PM | Sun: 2PM & 5PM
Venue: Esplanade Annexe Studio
Admission: $20*
*Limited concessions at $15 for students, NSFs and seniors
2. Watch a mini Cirque du Soleil performance for free
Image credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Most of us marvel at the high-flying acrobatics of a circus. But while a full-fledged show ticket would cause a dent in our wallets, Trashpeze lets you watch a 30-minute version without spending a single cent.
Do your palms get sweaty just by watching this?
Image credit: Dooseog Lee
There’s even some storytelling involved, with themes surrounding social hierarchy and trash usage.
Date: 24th-29th May 2019
Time: Fri-Sun: 8PM & 9.15PM | Mon-Wed: 6.45PM & 8.30PM
Venue: Esplanade Courtyard Green
Admission: Free
3. Laugh along at a puppetry performance
Ever since the disappearance of crows in Singapore, pigeons have taken over as the annoying island creature, eating our leftovers at hawker places and pooping on us at random.
And they just might be taking over the world, according to The Pigeoning. The puppet show will have you laughing at and along with Frank, the protagonist, as he tries overcoming his fear of the flying pests.
Image credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
The show breaks the usual rules of storytelling by featuring zero dialogue, which means kids and adults will have to rely on the visual experience instead.
Check out a trailer for the show here:
Video credit: Esplanade – Theatre on the Bay
Date: 30th May-2nd June 2019
Time: Thurs-Sat: 8PM
Venue: Esplanade Annexe Studio
Admission: $35*
*Limited concessions available for students, NSFs and seniors
4. Watch an artist paint and tell a story through clowning and physical theatre
Combining the best of both worlds of physical theatre and painting, The Artist is performed by award-winning Thom Monckton and Finnish contemporary circus group Circo Aereo. It follows the performer in his sanctuary, before all hell breaks loose from his distractions.
Image credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Here’s the catch: the artist flexes his acrobatic skills while trying to paint. Expect somersaults, handstands and juggles in the process, bringing a normally laidback activity to a whole new level.
Video credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Hey, if pop music has P!nk, art has Circo Aereo.
Date: 24th-26th May 2019
Time: Fri: 7.30PM | Sat & Sun: 2PM & 5PM
Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio
Admission: $35*
*Limited concessions at $28 for students, NSFs and seniors
5. Learn the secrets behind circus tricks from a local troupe
Image credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
A circus always promises a good time, but a circus act with local performers are far and few between.
Bornfire Circus is made up of Singaporean practitioners that hone their craft weekly, putting up a special performance just for the festival that features gravity-defying balancing acts and participative games. You can even test your dexterity by having a go at some of their simpler tricks.
Date: 24th May-2nd June 2019
Time: Various timings
Venue: Esplanade Courtyard Green and Esplanade Outdoor Theatre
Admission: Free
6. “Work” towards your #fitspo goals in a theatre performance
#Goals is more than just a social media hashtag. It’s also the title of this stage performance that takes a lighthearted approach on how us Singaporeans work towards our ideal health and happiness levels.
With relatable characters like a Zumba instructor and a neighbourhood makcik, the series of short stories weave elements of comedy and music together to entertain throughout. See if you can recognise the pop songs parodied during the show!
Singaporean theatre actor Dwayne Lau will helm the #Goals session
Image credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Date: 31st May & 1st June 2019
Time: Fri: 10PM | Sat & Sun: 8:30PM & 10PM
Venue: Esplanade Concourse
Admission: Free
Treat your senses at Esplanade’s Flipside Festival
Video credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Forget all thoughts of “Singapore got nothing to do”. Flipside Festival 2019 will host a whole bunch of activities for you to get involved with, including other highlights like a children theatre performance that uses live drawings, and exclusive ticketed late night tours around Esplanade’s backstage.
Mark your calendar for 24th May-2nd June 2019 and sign up for or visit any of the festival’s programme. Educational for the kids and entertaining for the adults, it’ll tick all the boxes for a perfect weekend out.
Find out more about Flipside Festival 2019 here
Flipside Festival 2019
Date: 24th May-2nd June 2019
Time: 10AM-10PM
Location: Various venues around Esplanade
Admission: Free (Selected activities are chargeable)
This post was brought to you by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
