Festival Info
About the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival
The M1 Singapore Fringe Festival is an annual festival of live shows. The shows are by local and foreign artists. We choose the best modern works that deal with social issues.
Our world is getting more connected, complex and opposing. We show thoughtful works to get people to discuss the issues in a civil and open way. We hope people will work together to solve these issues. This way, we can dream together and create a future that thinks about and includes more people.
︎Email info@singaporefringe.com
︎Phone (65) 6440 8115
︎Website singaporefringe.com
Join our online discussions about Fringe 2025 with the hashtag #M1SFF.
Fringe Team
The Necessary Stage organises and curates the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival. Its mission is to create bold and inventive Singapore theatre that touches the heart and mind.
Melissa Lim
Executive Producer
Jezamine Tan
Festival Manager
Fiona Lim
Technical & Lighting Coordinator
The Backstage Affair
Production Coordinators
About the Necessary Stage
The Necessary Stage (TNS) was started in 1987 by Artistic Director Alvin Tan. TNS is a non-profit theatre company with charity status. TNS’ aim is to create bold and inventive Singapore theatre that touches the heart and mind.
TNS is supported by the National Arts Council under the Major Company Scheme for the period from 11 April 2023 to 31 March 2026. TNS also organises the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival.
TNS is the only arts company in Singapore led by two Cultural Medallion recipients. They are Artistic Director Alvin Tan and Resident Playwright Haresh Sharma.
︎Email admin@necessary.org
︎Phone (65) 6440 8115
︎Website necessary.orgtnsarchives.com
Alvin Tan
Artistic Director
Haresh Sharma
Resident Playwright
Melissa Lim
General Manager
Jezamine Tan
Festival Manager
Natasha Fathin & Nicole Lim
Project Managers
Choo Kok Cheng
Accounts Assistant
Two Point Pte Ltd
Accountant
Support Our Work
We are appealing for your support to fundraise for our future.
All donations will qualify for a tax deduction as stipulated by IRAS.
To find out more on how you can contribute, please visit donate.necessary.org.
The Necessary Stage has made every effort to ensure that the contents of this website are correct and up to date. We cannot be held responsible for any consequences from subsequent errors or omissions.
About the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival
The M1 Singapore Fringe Festival is an annual festival of live performances by Singaporean and international artists. The Fringe aims to bring the best of contemporary, cutting-edge and socially engaged works to the Singapore audience.
In our increasingly connected, complex and often conflicted world, the Fringe seeks to present meaningful, socially engaged and provocative art to encourage civil and open dialogue and collaboration. Through our programming, we hope to collectively dream and create a more inclusive and compassionate future.
︎ Email info@singaporefringe.com
︎ Phone (65) 6440 8115
︎ Website singaporefringe.com
Join our online conversations about Fringe 2025 with the hashtag #M1SFF.
Fringe Team
True to the spirit of creating challenging, indigenous and innovative theatre that touches the heart and mind, the team from The Necessary Stage is the organiser and curator of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival.
Melissa Lim
Executive Producer
Jezamine Tan
Festival Manager
Fiona Lim
Technical & Lighting Coordinator
The Backstage Affair
Production Coordinators
About the Necessary Stage
Established in 1987 by Artistic Director Alvin Tan, The Necessary Stage (TNS) is a non-profit theatre company with charity status. TNS’ mission is to create challenging, indigenous and innovative theatre that touches the heart and mind.
TNS is supported by the National Arts Council under the Major Company Scheme for the period from 11 April 2023 to 31 March 2026, and is also the organiser of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival.
TNS also has the honour of being the only arts company in Singapore helmed by two Cultural Medallion recipients: Artistic Director Alvin Tan and Resident Playwright Haresh Sharma.
︎Email admin@necessary.org
︎Phone (65) 6440 8115
︎Website necessary.orgtnsarchives.com
Alvin Tan
Artistic Director
Haresh Sharma
Resident Playwright
Melissa Lim
General Manager
Jezamine Tan
Festival Manager
Natasha Fathin & Nicole Lim
Project Managers
Choo Kok Cheng
Accounts Assistant
Two Point Pte Ltd
Accountant
Support Our Work
We are appealing for your support to fundraise for our future.
All donations will qualify for a tax deduction as stipulated by IRAS.
To find out more on how you can contribute, please visit The Necessary Stage’s webpage.
The Necessary Stage has made every effort to ensure that the contents of this website are correct and up to date. We cannot be held responsible for any consequences from subsequent errors or omissions.
Photo by CLARE HAWLEY/ ASPARAY PHOTOGRAPHICSThe End of Winter by Siren Theatre Co (Australia)
Image Description: A production photo of The End of Winter. A blonde white woman is perched on the roof of a small wooden house. Her right hand reaches wistfully to the ground while she balances herself with her left hand on her left knee. The house’s windows are pitch black. She is wearing a muted outfit of a grey knitted short-sleeved top and khaki pants.
MESSAGE FROM M1
In a world where change is the only constant, art continues to be a beacon of connection and understanding. M1 is proud to present the 21st edition of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, a celebration of creativity and resilience.
This year, as we confront global challenges such as climate change, mental health issues, and socio-political unrest, the Festival invites you to delve into the powerful intersection of art and activism. From 8th to 19th January 2025, experience a diverse lineup of seven in-theatre performances from Singapore, Australia, India, and South Africa that address these critical themes with insight and passion.
On a bittersweet note, and with profound lamentation, the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2025 will mark M1’s final year as a dedicated sponsor of the Festival. For more than two decades, we have been privileged to work together with the talented and highly exceptional team at The Necessary Stage—Alvin Tan, Haresh Sharma, Melissa Lim and Jezamine Tan; our immense gratitude for their tireless dedication and the curation of outstanding performances, setting the high standard of, and elevating the profile of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival.
As we approach this swansong, we invite the ever-supportive Fringe audience to join us at this year’s Festival, where we continue to engage with, inspire and provoke the pressing issues of our time; whilst we take the moment to fondly reflect on the incredible journey M1 has shared with the many artists and the arts community.
Petrina Teoh
Assistant General Manager, CSR and Sustainability
M1 Limited
I Am Seaweed by Mm And Something Happens Here (MASHH)/ Cheryl Ho & Rachel Lee (Australia | Singapore)
Image Description:
A production photo of I Am Seaweed. A young Asian woman reaches her right hand out at the audience worriedly. Her left hand clutches a strap across her chest. She has light skin, black hair, and is dressed in a bright green T-shirt, and a maroon short-sleeved hoodie. Behind her is a row of spotlights.
Kudos
Dancing with the Ghost of my Child by Noor Effendy Ibrahim, Ruby Jayaseelan & Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Singapore)
Image Description:
A black and white publicity photo of Dancing with the Ghost of My Child. A close up shot of many hands extended from left and right reaching out randomly to grasp another hand. The hands meet in the middle and form a line down the centre of the photo.