Echoes of Play

Synopsis

In response to the 2025 National Theatre Festival Brunei’s theme, “Rooted in Bruneian Culture,” Studio Elevé presents a heartfelt and varied showcase that bridges classical tradition with contemporary expression.

The performance opens with a graceful excerpt from Swan Lake — a sneak peek from our upcoming recital. This is followed by two solo pieces by our senior students, Eunice Cheng and Soon Kai Ren, revisiting their portrayals of Tinker Bell and Wendy from Studio Elevé’s 2024 production of Peter Pan. Their performances reflect not only technical refinement but also a personal connection to the characters they once brought to life.

Our Senior and Junior Project Protégé Teams then take the stage with group works that highlight their growth, unity, and continued passion for dance.

To close, we present Echoes of Play — a contemporary open-style piece created specially for this year’s festival. It tells the story of a young girl who wants nothing more than to laugh and play. But each time she loses a game — hide-and-seek, tag, scissors-paper-rock, or Marco Polo — mischievous monkeys appear, stealing pieces of her joy: her smile, her confidence, her peace. As she begins to feel lost, she embarks on a quiet journey inward.

Rooted in Bruneian values of community, resilience, and reflection, the piece explores how joy and belonging are not found through victory, but through connection — with others, with our roots, and with ourselves.