Producers

In his acceptance speech for Best Director at the 2001 Academy Awards, Steven Soderbergh said, " I want to thank anyone who spends part of their day creating; I don't care if it's a book, a film, a painting, a dance, a piece of theater, a piece of music - anybody who spends part of their day sharing their experience with us. I think this world would be unlivable without art."

How very true indeed. Imagine living in a world without novels, movies or even pop music; oh gosh, life would be one big hell-hole. We'll never get to hear any of Tori Amos' wonderful lyrical musings, be inspired by Terry Pratchett's imaginative fantastical writings, awed into silence by Michael Mann's depth as a director, or have tears welling up in your eyes after an arresting, angst-filled performance by rock band Beyond! I could go on and on listing my favourites in pop culture today, but you get my point.

Paparazzi Production's staging of Peter Brook's Conference of The Birds has brought 60-odd diverse individuals together for one common journey. And when I say 'diverse', I really do mean diverse. There are those who have dabbled in theatre before, and those who have zero drama experience (like yours truly here); we all take on different kinds of roles, there are those who strut their stuff on stage, those who choreograph every little movement you'll see, those who fiddle around with the lights and sounds, those who bring the play alive with dazzling costumes and sets, those who almost pull their hair out in vexation trying to find enough funds…Oh, and of course, those who make sure all of you know about us.

It is this diversity that binds us all together for this common passion. For this common desire. For this common goal to create a piece of theater. Time Magazine critics put it most aptly, "The play itself is a flying carpet, gliding us aloft into a land of mystery, splendor and ritual." No doubt, this will be an all-new experience that will leave us with memories for a long time. We want you, the audience, to enjoy the ride too.

Sometimes, we cannot measure life by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

I'm waiting for that breathtaking moment on the 19th and 20th of July. I hope you are too.

Producer - Tan Kee Yun