Stand Up For Singapore...
I have in my hands the Singapore Showcase in Edinburgh brochure, produced by the National Arts Council of Singapore. Being of the 'uncultured heathen' persuasion, I was never particularly involved or interested in Singapore's arts scene, except to make fun of acquaintances who would sell out to get on TV.
But the times, they are a'changing. The Singapore government has been focused on the arts in recent years, trying to promote my tiny country as a centre for the arts. Now that I live in Edinburgh, it's only right that I do my part as part of the Singaporean diaspora (more on that later) and help spread the word that hey, we may be a former colony that's made its name in entrepôt trade, but we have sensitive, artistic souls, too!
Tonight Jeremy Monteiro plays at The Hub on Castlehill (Jazz & Blues Festival). He's pretty much the King, although I think Matthew and the Mandarins (Singapore's very own country and western band) would fight him for the title if they were still on the go full-time. He has a legendary reputation in Singapore, so if you're a fan of jazz it can't hurt to see if there are still tickets available - let's find out if Singaporeans can get down and dirty with jazz.
This weekend New Asia plays as part of the Mela Festival. They're mixing musical instruments from several cultures to create what is promoted as a distinctive sound. This weekend is also Singapore's National Day, which usually means a news and entertainment blackout in favour of blanket coverage (in all four languages) of our National Day Parade. So New Asia had better step up and make our country proud on Saturday!
And here is, in my opinion, Singapore's crowning glory at the Edinburgh Festival. Diaspora, a new production by Theatreworks director Ong Keng Sen, will be at the Playhouse from 15-16 August. Not only is this (locally) renowned director premiering a new show, Singapore acting royalty Lim Kay Tong, Nora Samosir, and Koh Boon Pin will also be taking up leading roles. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (who I have seen and appreciated at Singapore's Esplanade many years ago at a free lunchtime concert - why pay when you're a heathen?) will be providing part of the soundtrack. Hopefully one day the NAC will fund smaller theatre groups like Wild Rice to come to Edinburgh so Scottish audiences will be able to appreciate the acting talent of new-ish faces like Timothy Nga.
As for more new talent, Singapore's even representing at the Fringe! Tree Duet is on 16-22 August and Q&A, commissioned by the Singapore Arts Festival, will be performed on 25-30 August, with both shows being staged at the New Town Theatre, Freemasons' Hall. Never mind the scurrilous rumours that Singapore's political leaders are all masons, I'm sure it's all a coincidence, and Singapore's experimental arts scene needs all the support it can get!
Finally, the Book Festival hosts Singapore Writers on 16 August. With the exception of Suchen Christine Lim (I told you I'm a heathen), I've actulaly heard of them. I've got great respect for Simon Tay, who runs the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. I have zero appreciation for poetry, but I'm sure Edwin Thumboo is very good. Ahem. Singapore has a fledgling literary scene, and I hope it's much easier for them to speak their minds here in Edinburgh without being told by certain people that if they want to argue a political point they should run for Parliament*!
* You'll have to look that up for yourself (*cough*Catherine Lim*cough*), I don't want to get sued for defamation.
