Bornfire

Featuring here is Randall and Julian at the annual Aerial Open Stage, a program of Esplanade Flipside 2024.

Aerial Open Stage (AOS), launched at Flipside 2019, is a beloved annual event dedicated to spotlighting some of Singapore’s most exciting aerialists.

Photo credit:
Project/Stage manager:
Rigging Team: Romi and team
Co-produced:

In the existence of a singular structure lies the complex interplay of functions that diverge in various directions. As Diana Khoi Nguyen aptly stated, ‘.. the hand which wipes away a tear is also the hand which wields a hammer.’ Convergence delves into the delicate balance between cohesion and discord, as performers endeavor to reconcile these fragmented pieces of life, crafting an interconnected entity through the utilization of space, shadows, and circus props.

‘We all have “parts”. One part wants to have fun and eat ice-cream, another part wants to be serious and plan for our retirement. Most of us have an “inner critic” part who possesses X-ray vision to locate our faults and flaws. We also have “wounded child” parts which were once punished or shamed for behaving/feeling in certain ways when we were growing up. Many parts are so wounded that we will not even be aware of them until we do some serious psychological excavation!’
— Louisa Dent Pearce

Photo credit: Rogan Yeoh

Convergence (2024)
Esplanade Flipside

In the existence of a singular structure lies the complex interplay of functions that diverge in various directions. As Diana Khoi Nguyen aptly stated, ‘.. the hand which wipes away a tear is also the hand which wields a hammer.’ Convergence delves into the delicate balance between cohesion and discord, as performers endeavor to reconcile these fragmented pieces of life, crafting an interconnected entity through the utilization of space, shadows, and circus props.

‘We all have “parts”. One part wants to have fun and eat ice-cream, another part wants to be serious and plan for our retirement. Most of us have an “inner critic” part who possesses X-ray vision to locate our faults and flaws. We also have “wounded child” parts which were once punished or shamed for behaving/feeling in certain ways when we were growing up. Many parts are so wounded that we will not even be aware of them until we do some serious psychological excavation!’
— Louisa Dent Pearce

Photo credit: Rogan Yeoh

Convergence (2024)

In the existence of a singular structure lies the complex interplay of functions that diverge in various directions. As Diana Khoi Nguyen aptly stated, ‘.. the hand which wipes away a tear is also the hand which wields a hammer.’ Convergence delves into the delicate balance between cohesion and discord, as performers endeavor to reconcile these fragmented pieces of life, crafting an interconnected entity through the utilization of space, shadows, and circus props.

‘We all have “parts”. One part wants to have fun and eat ice-cream, another part wants to be serious and plan for our retirement. Most of us have an “inner critic” part who possesses X-ray vision to locate our faults and flaws. We also have “wounded child” parts which were once punished or shamed for behaving/feeling in certain ways when we were growing up. Many parts are so wounded that we will not even be aware of them until we do some serious psychological excavation!’
— Louisa Dent Pearce

I Am, Who I Am Not
Directed by Xyn Foo
Performers: Lina Heng, Myra Loke & Nachos

SYNOPSIS
In a workshop, three creators create a masterpiece that defies their imagination. Their vision, once confined to the realm of imagination, materialises before them. But when the creators unexpectedly find themselves transported to the world they breathed life into, they are met with a startling revelation: Sponge Girl, the embodiment of their artistic dreams, is not what they had idealised. I Am, Who I Am Not explores the creators’ journey of self-discovery as they confront and question their own beliefs and perceptions.

ARTIST’S MESSAGE
As we traverse a life profoundly influenced by cultural norms, personal preferences, societal expectations, and the intricate tapestry of our values and aspirations, we confront a fundamental query: Who am I? This inquiry delves into the intricate interplay between external influences and our self-concept, shedding light on the profound forces that shape our understanding of ourselves and ultimately, the core of our unique identities.

Images courtesy of The Finger Players
Photos by Crispian Chan

The journey of Puppet Origin Stories: Persona Paradox has come to a close. Over the past 8 months, we've been fortunate to establish new connections, share valuable insights and techniques, and bear witness to the synergies born from the collaborations between diverse disciplines. Our gratitude to and for their gracious invitation, which enabled us to introduce contemporary circus into the rich tapestry of puppetry. And to all our friends, thank you for your wonderful support. ❤️

Here’s our first collaboration with for their upcoming Puppet Origin Stories!

Have you gotten your tickets yet? Link in bio.

SYNOPSIS
Three incredible acrobats dream up a stunning creation that insists on co-creating with them. A mannequin faces public flogging whenever the model and seamstress fail to measure up to a cat’s superior fabric scratching skills. An eight-legged octopus dance coach receives an unexpected lesson from a four-legged cat and dog who combine their limbs in a surprising way, creating a sum greater than its parts.
Step into ONE-TWO-SIX Cairnhill Arts Centre and embark on a journey through three whimsical and self-deprecating tales set in a pre-war Anglo-Chinese school.

Puppet Origin Stories @ ONE-TWO-SIX: Persona Paradox marks ’s inaugural production as Artistic Director, bringing together fashion maverick , avant-garde artist , and daredevil from Bornfire Circus for an extraordinary triple-bill.

ARTISTS’ LINE UP
Pretty Ugly by Max Tan An Octopus, A Cat and A Dog Walk Into A Barre…. by Rizman Putra I Am, Who I Am Not by Bornfire Circus

The SPROUTS Intensive Workshop Series is back! We will have Ghislain Ramage [FR] working closely with you on Roue Cyr this November.

Registration is now open and will close on October 10, 2023, at 23:59 or when sold out.

Link in bio

🛶Refuge, a work in progress, has concluded its presentation for 2023.
❤️We express our gratitude to the individuals who have extended their support, including our fans, friends, members of other circus families, and unfamiliar individuals, for joining us in celebrating the Singapore River Festival. 🙏🏽Thank you for having us, Singapore River One!

Directed by: Jonathan Goh
Circus performers: Dominick Goh, Jael Teh, Jonathan Goh, Ong Zi Hao
Costume by: Etienne Ferrere
Safety officer: Aqeel Sidek

Photo credit:
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“Refuge”: a place or shelter where one can seek solace or escape danger, hardship, or adversity.

Through breathtaking acrobatics and enchanting choreography, 'Refuge' captures the essence of leaving behind the familiar, embracing the unknown, and finding solace in new horizons.

Where do we seek refuge on our journey?

“Refuge” - the last set is tonight at 9.30pm, Clarke Quay Central, a program part of the Singapore River Festival!

Directed by: Jonathan Goh
Circus performers: Dominick Goh, Jael Teh, Jonathan Goh, Ong Zi Hao
Costume by: Etienne Ferrere
Safety officer: Aqeel Sidek

Photo credit:
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“Refuge”: a place or shelter where one can seek solace or escape danger, hardship, or adversity.

Through breathtaking acrobatics and enchanting choreography, 'Refuge' captures the essence of leaving behind the familiar, embracing the unknown, and finding solace in new horizons.

Where do we seek refuge on our journey?

📣 World Juggling Day 2023 - Will we see you?

🎈 Date: Saturday, 17th June 2023
🎈 Time: 10am - 1pm

🎈 Location: Kallang CC #02-07 (Above AXS machine)

🎈 Event Description: World Juggling Day is an annual celebration where jugglers and enthusiasts gather to enjoy and have fun. It encompasses all forms of object manipulation, and serves as an opportunity for jugglers to connect with others who may not regularly attend practice sessions.

🎈 One of the main objectives

of WJD is to spread the joy of juggling to a wider audience.

🎈 If you have friends who are interested in learning juggling, feel free to bring them along!

🎈 During the event, we will engage in various juggling games starting at approximately 12 noon. The event will conclude with a toss-up, followed by a group photo at around 1pm.

Some of the fondest memories from every circus production came from the warm-up, silent time, pre-show toast with chicken essence and ginseng, post-show breaks, and post-production party. Without the tolerance, love, and support of our families, as well as the assistance and inspiration of our friends, both nearby and far away, these treasured moments, both on and off stage, would not have been possible. These encounters have allowed us to develop enduring friendships.

We are grateful to have reconnected with and met the artists from Chimpanzee and

Photo credits:

A big shoutout to the cast of Forget-Me-Not for their commitment and dedication over the last 5 months of early mornings and long hours of rehearsals. Half of the cast is new, with a couple of them entering this creative process with no prior experience in circus. Thank you, .forestry , for your patience and innovative ideas for an unconventional aerial apparatus. Thank you, , who started as part of the cast but had to transition into the crew due to injury. Finally, a special thanks to for designing the costumes and always being ready to take on new challenges.

Thank you all for your courage and love for circus!

Thank you for the opportunity, Flipside producers for placing your trust and faith in us!

Photos credit:

A heartfelt “Thank You” goes out to the backstage crew of Forget-Me-Not, Aerial Open Stage, and Circus Open Stage for your unwavering dedication in ensuring the smooth and safe ex*****on of the programs as well as the archival of photos and videos.

Stage Manager:
Rigging Team: .forestry , Iban, Faizal and Izzy
Assistant Stage Manager:
Stage crew:
Project Managers: and .x.cheng
Official Photographer:
Official Videographer:

The pilot Circus Open Stage of Flipside 2023 has successfully come to a close. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the for providing us with this platform and the circus performers who generously shared their love and passion for circus with everyone at the festival.

🎈 The Aerial Open Stage (AOS), launched in 2019 at Flipside, was created with the objective of providing a neutral platform to unite Singaporean aerial practitioners, fostering the creation, sharing, and nurturing of the aerial community in Singapore. It is a platform provided by Esplanade Theatres by the Bay through the festival Flipside.

AOS is something Esplanade has commissioned and presented for the 5 years. There is a lot of goodwill which we are grateful for. As we celebrate the 5th edition of Aerial Open Stage in 2023, we reflect on the profound impact it has had over the past five years. AOS has been a witness to the birth of new friendships, the cultivation of courage, the spark of hope, and a deep love for aerial arts.

We are immensely grateful to be a part of the ever-growing and vibrant aerial arts community in Singapore.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to for kindly offering her space so that participants may carefully review their technical cues.

We also want to express our deep gratitude to Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay and the Flipside producers and for their unrelenting dedication to growing Singapore's circus culture, which has given aerial arts in our city a priceless opportunity to develop and thrive.

With love,
Etienne & Xyn

Circus at Flipside festival! Final evening to catch Forget-Me-Not Shows at 6.30pm and 9pm and Aerial Open Stage at 7.45pm.

See you!!

Forget-Me-Not

See you at Esplanade, Theatres by the Bay this weekend 26 - 28 May 2023

26 May, Fri, 7.30pm & 10pm
27 May, Sat, 9pm
28 May, Sun, 9pm

In Bornfire Circus latest show, we reimagined our connection with the trash produced by fast-paced consumerism. The performers defy gravity and convention to show the beauty and value of items that are frequently overlooked and abandoned.

The plastic sheet, carton boxes, tables, and truss dolly used in the show are carefully sourced through borrowing, donations, or rescue initiatives. After their use, these items are responsibly managed by either sending them for recycling or retaining them for future purposes.

Lots of circus coming up this Flipside Festival 2023!
Come and lend your support to both the local circus artists and circus friends from Taiwan, Korea and France! The full festival line up is at the LINK IN BIO!

See you at Esplanade, Theatres by the Bay!

Week 1:
26 - 28 May 2023

🔸 Forget-Me-Not
🔸 Juggling workshop [SOLD OUT]
🔸 Aerial Open Stage [5th edition]

03 & 04 June 2023

🔸 Circus Open Stage [1st edition]
🔸 Circus 101
🔸 Circus 101 - Glow Edition

📢 LAST MINUTE Standing Acrobatics Workshops Series!
Sign up: https://tinyurl.com/acro2023

🔸Banquine
🔸Intro to Hand2Hand & Feet2Hand
🔸Intermediate Hand2Hand & Feet2Hand
🔸Standing Acrobatics
🔸Toss

Andre Augustus, a professional hand holder and self-proclaimed cool guy, is a Malaysian Australian known for his diverse talents. Born in Canberra, Australia, Andre trained under the renowned hand-to-hand coach, Jerome le Baut, in Montreal, Canada. Since then, he has performed in over 30 countries with prestigious companies such as Casus, Cirque du Soleil, Recirquel Company Budapest, and Circus OZ, to name a few.

18 days to go before registration closes! Have you signed up yet? :)

COS link
https://tinyurl.com/bornfireCOS2023

AOS link
https://tinyurl.com/bornfireAOS2023

The Aerial Open Stage will be back for the 5th year in Flipside 2023! Interested aerial practitioners can find further information in the Aerial Open Stage (AOS) online registration form, which will go live on January 1st, 2023.

Aerial Open Stage 2023

Date: 26 - 28th May (Fri - Sun)
Time: Evening
Venue: Esplanade Outdoor Theatre

Aerialist featured:

In collaboration with Esplanade, we are rolling out the pilot Circus Open Stage in Flipside 2023! All ground circus acts are welcome to sign up. Interested circus practitioners can find further information in the Circus Open Stage (COS) online registration form, which will go live on January 1st, 2023.

Date: 3 & 4 Jun (Sat & Sun)
Time: 4pm (TBC)
Venue: Esplanade Concourse

[The organizers may adjust the timing but will keep within the 2 to 4.30 pm time belt.]

More from the Standing Acrobatics workshops from the last weekend!

Woot!