In April, the performing arts scene was rocked by the news that a highly anticipated ballet performance by the Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) was postponed a week before it was slated to begin. Talk of the tutu being the reason behind the permit rejection was swiftly denied by government agency Puspal, which cited late application as the basis for its decision. As the dust finally settles on the controversy, SDT will mark its third appearance in as many years at KLPac with this month’s ‘Ballet Illuminations’, which showcases four contemporary and classical masterpieces with spectacular staging and breathtaking choreography.
For SDT Artistic Director Janek Schergen, this month’s show offers an opportunity for his talented ballet troupe to belatedly display its prowess onstage. ‘It is a chance to show that there was never any issue with the quality of our performances or the content of the work,’ says the former ballet master of the Royal Swedish Ballet, who adds that his team was extremely disappointed with the postponement. As such, there will be no changes to SDT’s repertoire of ballets for ‘Ballet Illuminations’, which includes Stanton Welch’s ‘Maninyas’, a traditional ‘Nutcracker Act 2, Grand Pas De Deux’, George Balanchine’s iconic ‘Serenade’ as well as ‘The Winds of Zephyrus’ by Edwaard Liang. Wong Boon Ken