Putting Singapore Shows in the Spotlight

Independent producers have raised $70,000 to boost the country's brand at the biggest arts marketplace in the world

- Clement Yong

Six independent theatre producers have created a $70,000 initiative to spotlight Singapore works at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Known as the biggest arts marketplace in the world, Edinburgh Fringe 2025 takes place from Aug 1 to 25. Six Singapore acts have paid their way to the Scottish capital, presenting their shows to a global audience and harbouring hopes they will be picked up by international producers.

For the first time, they will have unity of branding under a "Singapore Spotlight" umbrella – co-marketing on the same posters, meeting presenters and producers from other countries at Singapore Spotlight networking events, and even sharing house rental.

The initiative was started by Singaporeans in their 20s to 40s based both here and in Britain: Shien Hian Lim, Shaifulbahri Mohamad, Caleb Lee, Brent Tan, Joanne Tay and Syania Shaharuddin.

Shaifulbahri is the veteran with six shows at the Edinburgh Fringe in the last 10 years under his belt. But everyone knows they have to compete with thousands of other creative works for eyeballs and are eager to bring their combined connections to bear.

Lim says over Zoom from Edinburgh: "To come here as a first-timer, you don't know anyone here and it is very daunting. We provide that base and foundation of support, and point you in the right direction."

In starting Singapore Spotlight, they noted how artists from other countries and territories banded together to amplify their presence, for instance the Taiwan, South Korean and Danish seasons, typically funded by their respective ministries of culture.