Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay

These outdoor exhibits in front of the Esplanade provided a trip down memory lane for visitors and passersby. The timeline installation of images of yesteryear such as the Samsui women (Cantonese female migrants who worked in construction and are identified by their distinctive headgear), trishaw rider, roadside satay seller, etc. The installation is part of our National Day celebration.
The installation of the old National Theatre makes a nostalgic point juxtaposed as it is against the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, our premier performing arts venue today. The National Theatre was the first performing arts venue in Singapore completed in 1963. Its five-pointed facade represented the five stars of the Singapore flag. It's an open air amphitheatre with no air conditioning. I remember seeing Cliff Richard perform in that place. The building was demolished in 1986 due to structural defects in its cantilevered steel roof.


Here you see the striking dome-shaped architecture of the Esplanade which locals referred to as 'the durian'. It's definitely iconic. The Esplanade has added vibrancy to the local performing arts scene having presented local and international performances from musicals to concerts to dance and theatre including Chinese opera. I remember watching the musical Mamma Mia! here ..

There's also an arts library, with literature and audio-visual materials covering music, dance, film and theatre.

That's my World

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