Crystalwords Theatre Highlights 2020

Happy New Year! It's time for the Crystalwords annual Singapore theatre round-up.

Whichever way you slice it, 2020 was truly a game-changer. The COVID-19 pandemic saw arts venues shut down for months, forcing theatre companies to reinvent themselves online. 

We saw original plays dealing with life in lockdown, shows being transplanted to an audio or digital setting, innovative uses of online communication platforms like Zoom and interactive theatrical experiences that acknowledged the fundamental importance of a live audience. In terms of creativity, it was certainly a fantastic year for companies to flex their muscles.

Apart from a hiatus for a few months in the middle of the year, I've been glad to continue with my monthly theatre podcast series for arts media company Arts Equator where playwright,  poet and editor Nabilah Said, theatre educator Mathew Lyon and I usually discuss two or more theatre productions. I also try to review the occasional performance I have caught as far as possible on this site.

I usually do an 'Academy Awards style' list every year but it seems difficult to think of a best actor, set or production in such an outlier of a year. A bit of quiet reflection seems more in order. 

To that end, do check out the Arts Equator end-of-year theatre podcast where Nabilah, Matt and I are joined by two other theatre commentators (Lee Shu Yu from Centre 42 and Max Yam from Arts Republic) to discuss our highlights of 2020 in theatre and what the year has meant for arts makers, audiences and critics.  

Here's to a better, brighter 2021!