Singapore Ballet and klpac is proud to jointly present Ballet Illuminations 2025 at klpac from 21 November to 23 November. As Singapore and Malaysia celebrate 60 remarkable years of friendship, this year’s programme showcases some of the very best from Singapore’s diverse repertoire, masterfully curated to craft a memorable artistic journey for the Malaysian audience. This performance is supported by YTL Corporation Berhad and the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
This year’s line-up includes two iconic works by the late Singaporean choreographer Choo-San Goh, the first Asian choreographer to be recognised in the western world of ballet, an excerpt from an original piece made for Singapore Ballet by international choreographer Edmund Stripe, and Act 2 of Cinderella by Janek Schergen, Singapore Ballet’s Artistic Director.
Remarked Janek Schergen, Singapore Ballet’s Artistic Director, “Singapore Ballet has been welcomed to klpac for the last 16 years. We are very appreciative and grateful that the audiences in Kuala Lumpur have responded to our performances so enthusiastically. Our programme each visit showcases some of our best repertoire in a balance of well-known classical ballets and new works from our performance repertoire. This year, we are bringing three ballets from our repertoire that we have never presented in klpac. We hope the audience will find our performance unique and enjoyable.”
Dato’ Dr Faridah Merican, Executive Producer of the klpac shared, “Singapore Ballet’s Ballet Illuminations annual tour has become a highlight of the klpac’s programming that many Malaysians look forward to. After a successful tour last year with an additional show due to overwhelming demand, we are excited to welcome them again as we celebrate 60 years of friendship between Singapore and Malaysia including our long history of cultural ties among many artistes and creatives.”
Momentum by Choo-San Goh
Choo-San Goh’s Momentum, created for the Joffrey Ballet, draws its inspiration from Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Featuring a cast of ten dancers, including two lead couples, the piece is characterised by its sleek aesthetic and rapid, driving pace. At the heart of the ballet lies a compelling pas de deux in the second movement, serving as its emotional and visual focal point. Momentum was awarded the first prize at the prestigious Varna International Ballet Competition in 1983.
Fives by Choo-San Goh
Energetic and vibrant, this piece shows off many of Choo-San Goh’s trademarks – a brilliant management of patterns and spacing, elegant lines and unexpected gestures. Danced to Ernest Bloch’s Concerto Grosso No.1, Goh described this ballet as “music ballet”, that is one where the movement comes from the music itself and the audience in fact ‘sees’ as well as ‘hears’ the music. Created for 10 women and 5 men, Fives is an exciting work, full of exhilaration and sculptural pictures in dance.
Piano Concerto No. 2, Opus 102 by Edmund Stripe
Created for Singapore Ballet in 2007, this dynamic piece showcases 7 female and 6 male dancers in a fast-paced, thrilling performance set to music by Dimitri Shoskatovitch. Singapore Ballet has extracted the central pas de deux, a romantic and soulful segment from the ballet to showcase the beauty and purity of movement in this piece of work.
Cinderella by Janek Schergen
Singapore Ballet’s Cinderella is a truly unique interpretation of the classic fairytale, featuring original choreography by Artistic Director Janek Schergen, and brought to life with stunning costumes and sets designed by Singaporean talents Leonard Choo and Eucien Chua. Unlike any other version, this production blends wit and drama with romance and elegance, creating a captivating experience for audiences of all ages. Premiered in 2023 to sold-out performances in Singapore, Cinderella has quickly become a standout in the company’s repertoire, and we are thrilled to now share the magic of Act 2 with our audiences in Malaysia.
Singapore Ballet Masterclass
In celebration of 60 years of Singapore-Malaysia friendship, Singapore Ballet is proud to offer two scholarships to talented Malaysian students, providing them the opportunity to join the company’s elite training programme for two weeks. These scholarships will be awarded at a special masterclass held in conjunction with the performance, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent across the region.
The masterclass, which will be conducted by Artistic Director, Janek Schergen, will be held on 22 November, 10am – 11.30am, at Pentas 1, klpac. A bundle comprising a performance ticket along with a masterclass is available at a special price for ballet students.
As Singapore Ballet continues to evolve artistically and technically, Singapore Ballet Festival stands as a showcase of its maturity, ambition, and global perspective—proof that Singapore’s national ballet company is one to watch on the world stage.
Tickets are now on sale via CloudJoi. For full programme details and updates, click here.
