OCD Love by L-E-V Dance Company

PHOTO BY REGINA BROCKE

BY

L-E-V DANCE COMPANY (ISRAEL)

5 & 6 May

SAT & SUN, 8PM

SOTA Drama Theatre

1h, no intermission

MESSAGE FROM THE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR I grew up looking forward to the Singapore Arts Festival every year.

Watching shows across different genres from around the world played a big part in shaping my artistic sensibilities. Shows such as Ninagawa’s Macbeth (1992), for example, entirely changed my perception of how Shakespeare could be performed.

In 1996, I acted in Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Sing To The Dawn; it was the first time a Singaporean musical opened the Singapore Arts Festival. Given this history, I was delighted and honoured to be asked to helm the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) for the next three years.

What is SIFA’s role? Where does it fit in the cultural landscape, both at home and internationally? Who does it serve?

Where would I like it to be in three years?

As I was thinking of how to shape the festival, what I did know was that I wanted to programme a festival that would inspire young people in the same way that I was impacted 25 years ago.

With the support of the phenomenal team at SIFA, I aspired to curate a season that would showcase different art forms and perspectives from Singapore and around the world. We also strove to programme a spectrum of shows that would appeal to a variety of audiences, from the first-time festival-goer to the seasoned art lover.

We believe we have programmed artists who are game-changers in their fields.

In parallel, discussions commenced with several of the game-changers in the Singapore arts scene. One of SIFA’s roles is to commission and facilitate the creation of new Singaporean work – giving artists the time and resources to develop shows over a two- or three-year horizon. We look forward to presenting the culmination of this process in SIFA 2019 and 2020.

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Two memorable experiences from arts festivals I have attended around the world have been the free outdoor performances, and a festival ‘village’ — a place where artists and audiences can meet after a show and discuss what they’ve just seen. Both these elements can be found in SIFA 2018. The free outdoor programmes on the opening and closing weekends have some sensational performances to be enjoyed with family and friends. Over these three weeks, The Arts House will become Festival House.

It will be the heartbeat of SIFA with performances, lectures, readings, music salons and, of course, a place to just hang out and chat. Artists will give talks, conduct masterclasses or host Q&As, and hopefully we will build relationships with them that last beyond the festival.

A key initiative that I introduced this year is the $10 front-row student ticket. I want the next generation of Singaporeans to know that they matter to SIFA. My hope is that they will fall in love with the arts in the same way I did at their age.

I would like to thank Sarah Martin and the incredible team of people I work with at SIFA and at Arts House Limited. Despite the tight six-month runway to programme this festival, they have been nothing short of amazing and have worked tirelessly to produce a festival that we hope resonates with you as much as it does with us.

Most of all, thank you for your support. The scope, breadth and reach of shows in SIFA will continue to grow over the next three years. We look forward to taking you on this exciting journey with us.

Gaurav Kripalani Festival Director

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Festivals bring people together to celebrate causes or to mark momentous occasions. Arts festivals allow us to not only appreciate the arts, they allow us to experience and form lasting and transformative memories. It is through shared experiences that we come to form communities.

The inaugural Singapore Festival of Arts began in 1977 as a national showcase of the vibrant art forms found within Singapore’s diverse communities. In its many evolutions over the last four decades, the Festival has touched countless hearts, created invaluable experiences for many, and inspired even more to embrace the arts. From a time when Singapore was widely perceived as a cultural desert, the Festival has played an instrumental role in developing Singapore’s arts landscape and shaped the city-state into one of Asia’s leading cultural capitals.

This year, SIFA 2018 marks the 41st year and kicks off a new era with Gaurav Kripalani at the helm as Festival Director for 2018 – 2020. Condensed into 17 days of artistic adventures, it is our hope that

this exhilarating three-week format will create robust artistic engagement for a spectrum of diverse audiences. The Arts House will be transformed into the Festival House, and within its intimate spaces, there will be meaningful discourses on the various themes presented in the festival.

Built upon the foundation and achievements of those who came before, SIFA is the sum of many parts made possible by a team of many talents who has worked tirelessly and passionately to deliver the Festival Director’s vision.

I thank everyone who has had a hand in shaping the Singapore International Festival of Arts into a tradition for both new and existing audiences and making it the stalwart of Singapore’s dedication to artistic excellence.

Gaurav and the team have put together a festival of multiple layers allowing you to make up your own artistic adventures.

It is my hope that you will walk away with unique memories of the Festival.

Sarah Martin CEO, Arts House Limited

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MESSAGE FROM THE CREATOR A lot of inspiration for this work comes from the poem OCD by Neil Hilborn. The text made such an impression on me because I felt that it was a reflection of me. I could not stop reading it. I see everything in the piece as dark and in the shadows – my shadow and I are dancing.

To me, the poem is already a type of choreography or a mould where I can pour my inspiration in. It is the first time that the core of the piece is already shaped in my head. It was so figurative even before we began working on it. I know the way it feels and smells – like the end of the world without mercy. It has a scent of flowers but it is also very dark – somewhat like falling into a hole and not being able to surface again. There is noise but there is also a desperation for silence.

This piece does not come from a place where I want to create something sad, but rather something that I need to take out of myself, like a dark stone I have in my chest.

Sharon Eyal Creator

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PROGRAMME NOTES L-E-V Dance Company presents OCD Love, a dance inspired by a spoken word poem by Neil Hilborn about love lost due to the protagonist’s obsessivecompulsive disorder. Primitive and visceral, stirring and stylistically abstract, this piece is a powerful study about matters of the heart that is danced to relentless live techno beats.

In a mesmerising hour fusing movement, music, lighting and technology, bodies moving with technical precision orbit each other in a space, pulsating between light and shadows, full of yearning yet always unable to connect. It is the dance embodiment of one person going to bed while the other gets up; of something that is full and intact but which has many holes in it. Dancer Sharon Eyal with long-time collaborator Gai Behar – both key figures in Israel’s thriving arts scene and co-founders of L-E-V – together with Ori Lichtik have created a contemporary piece about incomprehensible and pathological love.

PHOTO BY RON KEDMI

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ABOUT THE CREATORS SHARON EYAL | Choreographer and Co-Artistic Director Sharon Eyal was born in Jerusalem. She started her career in dance with the Batsheva Dance Company in 1990. She served as Associate Artistic Director for the company between 2003 and 2004, and as a House Choreographer between 2005 and 2012.

In 2009 she began creating pieces for other dance companies around the world.

These include Killer Pig (2009) and Corps de Walk (2011) for Carte Blanche Dance of Norway; Too Beaucoup (2011) for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago; and Plafona (2012) for Tanzcompagnie Oldenburg, Germany.

In 2013 Sharon launched L-E-V Dance Company with her long-time collaborator Gai Behar. Since it was founded, the company has staged more than 150 performances, some of which were held in exclusive venues around the world. Alongside their work with L-E-V, Sharon and Gai have been commissioned to create pieces for external companies, such as the Nederland Dance Theatre and the Royal Swedish Ballet, amongst others.

Sharon has received several awards for her work, including the Ministry of Culture Award for Young Dance Creators (2004), the Landau Prize for the Performing Arts in the dance category (2009), the 12th Belgrade Dance Festival’s Jovan Ćirilov Award (2017) and the prestigious Fedora Prize (2017).

GAI BEHAR | Co-Artistic Director As a party producer, Gai was a big part of Tel Aviv’s nightlife scene. He also worked as a curator for multidisciplinary art events from 1999 to 2005. Gai joined Sharon Eyal in co-creating Bertolina in 2005, and has collaborated with her ever since.

THE COMPANY ORI LICHTIK | Sound Artist Ori Lichtik is a multifaceted musician, drummer and creative DJ. Since his first collaboration with Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, he has created alongside them throughout the choreographic process, reflecting off the dancers’ movements, and often inspiring and prompting them with the tone and pace of his percussive sounds and rhythms. The compositions result in precise sets that structure the works. Each live show is then improvised with fresh layers of digitally manipulated effects, creating a unique sound experience for every event. One of the founding fathers of the techno scene in Israel, Ori has created, produced and spinned for musical productions, techno raves and various other music and performance events. During the last decade Ori has taught and coordinated the DJ Department of Music, a college in Israel for musical productions.

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GON BIRAN | Dancer

Born in Israel in 1991, Gon studied dance at the Democratic School in Hadera. He danced with Batsheva Ensemble from 2008 to 2011, performing the works of Ohad Naharin, and Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, partaking in their creation of Petrushka. In 2012, Gon was a guest artist with Oldenburg Dance Company in Germany for Sharon and Gai’s work, Plafona. He is a recipient of the 2007 Sharett Scholarship for achievement in choreography and modern dance.

PHOTO BY REGINA BROCKE

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REBECCA HYTTING | Dancer

Born in Huskvarna, Sweden in 1982, Rebecca graduated from Balettakademien, Stockholm. After completing her studies, she danced in Kamuyot with Riksteatern and Carte Blanche Dance Company. She joined the Batsheva Ensemble in 2008 and the Batsheva Dance Company in 2011.

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KEREN LURIE PARDES | Dancer

Keren Lurie Pardes was born in the USA in 1991. She attended the Arts High School in Jerusalem and graduated from the dance-training programme directed by Naomi Perlov and Ofir Dagan at Bikurei Haitim. From 2010 to 2011, she was a trainee at the Batsheva Ensemble and participated in a project by Idan Sharabi. Between 2011 and 2013, Keren joined the Batsheva Ensemble as a member and took part in the works of Ohad Naharin, and Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar in Lost Cause, among others.

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MARIKO KAKIZAKI | Dancer

Born in Japan in 1988, Mariko trained in rhythmic gymnastics as a child and started dancing at the age of 18. She joined the SHUN Project in 2010 and won the first prize at the Korea International Modern Dance Competition. Mariko was with the Batsheva Dance Company between 2012 and 2014. She has also created and performed her own pieces since 2009, one of which was chosen for the Kagawa Prefecture Art Newcomer award in 2013. In 2014, she created and organised the Golem & Treseses Japan tour.

Her piece, Golem Couple, received the third prize at the Jerusalem International Dance Week competition, while Golem Girls was performed at the HCMC International Dance Festival 2014.

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DARREN DEVANEY | Dancer

Darren was born in Edmonton, Canada where he attended Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts. Continuing his studies at The Boston Conservatory, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance performance, and performed works by Jose Limon, Anthony Tudor, and Anna Sokolow. Upon the completion of his education, Darren moved to San Francisco where he freelanced with Zhukov Dance Theatre and Robert Moses’ Kin. After four seasons, he recently left Ballet BC where he had the opportunity to perform works by Medhi Walerski, Johan Inger, Jorma Elo, Gustavo Ramirez, Cayetano Soto, Emily Molnar, and William Forsythe.

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SHAMEL PITTS | Dancer

Shamel was born in Brooklyn, New York, and began his dance training at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. He trained simultaneously at The Ailey School and later continued his studies at The Juilliard School where he received his BFA degree and the Martha Hill Prize for excellence in dance. Upon graduation, Shamel danced with ballet superstar Mikhail Baryshnikov’s Hell’s Kitchen under the choreographic direction of Aszure Barton. He then danced with BJM_Danse, formerly known as Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, for the next two years. Shamel joined the Batsheva Ensemble in 2009 and Batsheva Dance Company in 2010. He has taught Gaga, a movement language developed by choreographer Ohad Naharin, for both companies and has been on the faculty for the Movement Invention Project in New York City under the direction of Alexandra Wells and Jill Johnson.

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PHOTO BY REGINA BROCKE

THE CREATIVE TEAM Creators: Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar Sound Artist: Ori Lichtik Lighting: Thierry Dreyfus Costumes: Odelia Arnold in collaboration with Rebecca Hytting, Gon Biran, Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar Dancers: G on Biran, Rebecca Hytting, Mariko Kakizaki, Keren Lurie Pardes, Darren Devaney and Shamel Pitts Technical Director: Alon Cohen Rehearsal Manager: Léo Lerus Tour Manager: Niv Mrinberg International Agent: Menno Plukker Theatre Agent, Inc. European Agent: BeMove GCV – Karen Feys Co-Producers: Colours, International Dance Festival, Stuttgart, Germany; Sadler’s Wells, London, England; Carolina Performing Arts, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; Julidans, Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Montpellier Danse The production of OCD Love was developed through a Performing Arts Residency at The Banff Centre, Canada

TICKET HOLDER PRIVILEGES

FLASH YOUR SIFA 2018 TICKET

TO ENJOY ATTRACTIVE DISCOUNTS & PROMOTIONS HOUSE POUR@FESTIVAL HOUSE

The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429

15% off drinks and light bites.

TIMBRE @ THE ARTS HOUSE AND BARBER SHOP BY TIMBRE

The Arts House, #01-04, Annex Building, 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429

• • • •

Pizza Set and Twin Half Pints of Archipelago @$31++ Twin Glasses of Red or White Wine @$20++ Twin Pints of Archipelago @ $30++ Pizza Set and Twin Glasses of Wine @ $31++

ESPLANADE MALL

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 8 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039802

1984 and An Enemy of the People ticket holders are entitled up to 15% discount at Esplanade Mall.

Visit www.esplanade.com for more information.

AURA

#05-03 and #06-02, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957

15% discount on all food and beverages.

Esplanade Mall

COURTYARD CAFÉ & LOUNGE

Supreme Court Wing, #01-02A/ #01-K1, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957

10% discount on all food and beverages.

GALLERY & CO

City Hall Wing, #01-17, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957

• Free coffee/tea with purchase of any pastries.

• 1-for-1 cocktail, beer, house wine and house spirits all day.

• 10% discount on selected retail items.

SPRMRKT DAILY

41 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236

10% discount on all food and beverages at SPRMRKT Daily.

SPRMRKT

#02-13/14 Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 259760

10% discount on all food and beverages at SPRMRKT.

For more festival deals, please visit sifa.sg Terms & Conditions: Unless otherwise stated, all promotions are valid till 13 May, Sun. Not applicable with other promotions, discounts, vouchers and offers by credit or privilege cards. Ticket stubs presented must be in its original condition. Management reserves the right to amend any promotional terms and conditions without prior notice. Merchants’ terms and conditions apply.

ABOUT SIFA Into its 41st year, Singapore International Festival of Arts 2018 presents diverse and distinctive work from Singapore and around the world that ignites the imagination, inspires myriad audiences, and provokes reflection and dialogue.

Get ready for a plethora of theatre, music, dance, literary and visual arts at the pinnacle national arts festival that will happen over three weeks from 26 April to 12 May, and across ten performance spaces, including the Festival House, located at The Arts House.

ABOUT ARTS HOUSE LIMITED Arts House Limited (AHL) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to enriching lives through the arts.

AHL manages two key landmarks located in the heart of Singapore’s Civic District – The Arts House, a multi-disciplinary arts centre with a focus on literary programming, and the Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall, a heritage building that is home to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. It also runs the Goodman Arts Centre and Aliwal Arts Centre, two creative enclaves for artists, arts groups and creative businesses, and performing arts space Drama Centre. AHL presents the Singapore International Festival of Arts, the annual pinnacle celebration of performance and interdisciplinary arts in Singapore commissioned by the National Arts Council.

AHL was set up in 11 Dec 2002 as a company limited by guarantee (CLG) under the National Arts Council and was formerly known as The Old Parliament House Limited. It was officially renamed Arts House Limited on 19 Mar 2014.

AHL BOARD Chairperson: Christine Ong Members: Chong Yuan Chien, Deborah Ho, Kelvin Ang, Lynette Pang, Madeleine Lee, Maniza Jumabhoy, Mok Wei Wei, Ong Chao Choon, Ong Choon Fah, Paul Tan, Sarah Martin (Ex-Officio)

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS THE SIFA TEAM Chief Executive Officer: Sarah Martin Festival Director: Gaurav Kripalani Chief Financial Officer: Yong Yuet Mei Advisor: J P Nathan Head, Programming: Jobina Tan Head, Production: Cindy Yeong Head, Marketing: Jasmine Gan Head, Communications: Carolyn Tay Head, Partnership Development: Payal Michelle Parekhji Assistant Head, Event Services Management: Emma Izzabella Tagoe PROGRAMMING Producers: Sara Joan Fang, Rydwan Anwar, Ye Junmin Senior Manager: Lisa Marie Lip Senior Manager, Place Making: Natalie Tan Managers: Kong Yen Lin, Shridar Mani, Pang Su Li Assistant Manager: Alicia Chong PRODUCTION Production Managers: Christopher Chua, Natalie Lim Production Co-ordinators: Celestine Wong, Melissa Chin Technical Co-ordinators: Huang Xiangbin, David Li Production Assistant: Chong Wee Nee MARKETING Senior Managers: Elizabeth Wong, Winnie Chan Assistant Manager: Koay Yi Ling Senior Designers: Muhammad Hakim bin Rahim, Md Firdaus bin Wari Executives: Diana Othman, Juliana Tan Interns: Clara Janssen, Lim Yi Shuen, Michelle Chia COMMUNICATIONS Assistant Manager: Willy Beh Wei Hong Intern: Rifdi Jaffar TICKETING Executive: Nor Limah binte Ja’ffar PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Manager: Norita Senin Executive: Tan Yanru EVENT SERVICES MANAGEMENT Frontof-house Hospitality Manager: Dorothy Neo Front-of-House Manager: Mohd Afham bin Abbas Back-of-House Hospitality Manager: Nursheehana binte Akbal Ahmad Event Services Manager: Johnson Kee Secretariat Manager: Carine Lee Transport Manager: Syafiq Zulkepli FINANCE Manager: Vivian Gan Executives: Mandy Choo, Lai Zhi Ying, Priyasini D/O Balachandran HUMAN RESOURCE Manager: Noraliza Ramli Senior Executive: Elaine Neo ADMINISTRATION Manager, Arts: Liza Mustapha Executive: Norhanim binte Mohamed Tayib 10

DON’T MISS

THESE OTHER PRODUCTIONS IN THE FESTIVAL

Screening Room, Festival House (The Arts House)

28 Apr – 11 May

(US)

8 & 9 May, Tue & Wed

BY SCHAUBÜHNE

11 & 12 May, Fri & Sat

Victoria Theatre

BY BALLET PRELJOCAJ (FR)

9 & 10 May, Wed & Thu

SOTA Drama Theatre Photo by Jean-Claude Carbonne

BERLIN (DE) Esplanade Theatre

Photo by Arno Declair

12 May, Sat

SOTA Drama Theatre

Photo by Ana Cuba

FREE

PROGRAMMES AND MORE

BY INTER—MISSION (SG)

26 Apr - 12 May, daily, 10am - 10pm Gallery II, Festival House

Duke Ellington Orchestra (US)

12 May, Sat Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens

For full festival line-up, visit sifa.sg ORGANISED BY

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