Cue I Theatre ACE! Festival, and enter stage right! We are getting ready to take our seats as one of our favourite arts festivals returns for it’s 5th season this May. With the theme Long Ago and Far Away, you can probably imagine that this year’s line-up of internationally acclaimed theatre productions, workshops and activities will have your kids make-believing as they eat, sleep and play for a long time after the curtain goes down. In line with ACE! Festival’s 5th anniversary celebration, here are our top five picks that you and your children will not want to miss!
Top pick: Under the Dragon Moon (30 May – 1 Jun)
This well-loved classic was first performed in 2007 and is back by popular demand with some new twists. Discover Asia’s colourful heritage through Creative Edge SG’s rendition of folk tales full of heart-pumping physical theatre, masks and puppetry. Big and little people will be awed by the dynamic re-telling of tales in this special piece.
Spot the Difference (21-31 May)
Soo loves her circles and Vik likes his straight lines. Let them take you on a colourful journey of all shapes and sizes as the two seemingly different characters meet and discover that the world can exist with both curves and spots! Revolving around the themes of diversity, acceptance and racial harmony, this is one fun and meaningful local production that kids living in cosmopolitan Singapore can take a meaningful lesson from.
Puss in Boots (22-31 May)
Watch this famous fairytale come to life in a fast-paced I Theatre musical, Featuring the intelligent Puss in Boots, her foolish master, a King, a Princess and an Ogre, this is 55 minutes of entertainment with lots of clever tricks, quick thinking and courage that’ll keep kids on their toes and in their seats!
Starbird (3-8 Jun)
Who hasn’t dreamt of reaching out to touch the stars. This Toto Tales production tells the story of a magical bird who can fly into the sky when the sun goes down and light up stars till they sing and giggle. But what happens to the Starbird when a wicked hunter appears? Inspired by Booker prize-winning author Ben Okri, the themes here are serious ones of oppression and injustice but concepts are cleverly tackled through the puppetry, audience interaction, beautiful storytelling and dance. Children will come away knowing more of the world but having had lots of fun doing so.
Dotty the Dragon (3-8 Jun)
What happens when a misunderstood dragon decides to pay a surprise visit to the children of a village? Find out how Dotty the feared fire dragon, wins over the hearts of children in this heartwarming fairytale.Not a fireball insight.
In addition to the full program of international, local and award-winning childrens’ theatre productions, kids can also participate in a host of workshops and free non-ticketed events. Interactive storytelling sessions, art and craft classes and creative writing workshops are just some of the activities on offer. Come stand in front of those footlights and let your inner star shine.
For more details on the full schedule of events, visit the ACE! Festival 2014 official website or head over to SISTIC to grab tickets now. This article is in partnership with I Theatre.