Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

Explore the relationship between theatre and humanity with performance First Fleet

They are not just convicts of the colony, they are to be citizens of the new world

In the year of Singapore’s Bicentennial, the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Nine Years Theatre will co-present First Fleet, a play inspired by Thomas Keneally’s novel The Playmaker and the history of convict transportation to Australia.

Set in 1787, the First Fleet of the British Empire sets sail with a group of convicts to establish a penal colony in Australia. Along the way, the Governor instructs his lieutenant to rehearse a play with the convicts, in the hope of using the power of theatre to rehabilitate them. But who has ever heard of an officer putting up a play with his convicts? Certainly not the other officers, priest, judge, doctor or even the convicts, who all have reservations towards such a ridiculous proposition. Will they be able to stage the play successfully? For these officers and convicts, is the foreign land where they are headed to, a brave new world or simply a nightmare from hell?

In a ground-breaking move to bring theatre closer to the people, the audience for the performances will be seated onstage. In this way, they may immerse themselves in the production, and set sail together with the performers to explore the relationships between theatre and humanity.

From 18 to 21 Jul, the production will be performed in Mandarin, with English subtitles and closed captions for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. There will also be an informal dialogue conducted over drinks at the auditorium foyer after every performance. Tickets are available from SISTIC.

Celebrating Singapore’s rich Mandarin pop music culture with Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

Whether it’s falling in love with the songs, writing lyrics that resonate, or rooting for the next pop superstar, there is something magical about pop music and how it connects us with others.

To provide accessible entry points into Chinese popular culture, the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre plugs into the local pop music eco-system by organising long-term platforms for both young talents and established singers. These include the fortnightly showcase TGIF Music Station, the annual star-studded Sing.Lang Concert, and a regular song-writing festival SG:SW I Write The Songs.

TGIF Music Station artistes line-up for June and July 2019

With a line-up that crosses different song genres, TGIF Music Station comprises two sessions held every first and third Friday of the month. In the afternoon, a lunchtime pop-up for rising local talents, brings Singapore’s rich music scene to the office crowd in the heart of the city. In the evening, an expanded showcase at the Cultural Centre presents exciting performances by more established artistes and groups.

Jive to a night of great tunes by our local artistes

The much-anticipated Sing.Lang Concert is an annual event that highlights the Singaporean connections behind international mega-hit songs, and the many talents in the local Mandarin pop music scene. In June 2019, the concert featured stalwarts as Kit Chan and A-do, as well as younger singers like Nathan Hartono who are making waves beyond Singapore.

SG:SW2019 is now officially launched!

Co-organised by the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore, record label Ocean Butterflies Music and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, SG:SW I Write The Songs aims to promote interest in Mandarin song-writing, as well as provide a platform to uncover and cultivate local music talents. The platform also includes masterclasses and mentoring which help to create professional networks, and the sharing of knowledge and experience across different generations. This year’s call for song entries will end on 7 Jul, with a final presentation concert at the Cultural Centre on 28 Sep.

Click here to visit Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s website.