When was the last time we allowed ourselves to dream freely, to imagine a fantastical world, or to embark on a heroic quest? How can we nurture our young ones to have the courage to dream big, explore boundless possibilities, and journey through magical adventures? In a rapidly changing world, it is essential to guide them to grow with curiosity and wonder, encouraging them to imagine and create boldly.

Presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, the fifth edition of March On will be held from 7 – 29 Mar 2025. This annual festival is dedicated to young audiences, celebrating the stories, dreams and experiences that resonate with them. We welcome their families, educators, schools and children's centres to join them in embracing this spirit of imagination and growth. This festival also supports artists in creating meaningful works for children and young audiences.

Inclusion is important to March On. For this, we have curated programmes for a variety of age groups aged 0 and up, as well as for audiences from diverse backgrounds. This includes programmes designed with accessibility in mind.

This year, we are thrilled to welcome UK’s Punchdrunk Enrichment for their first-ever presentation in Singapore and Asia with a special three-week run of The Lost Lending Library. Known as masters of immersive theatre, Punchdrunk Enrichment, led by Peter Higgin, brings their groundbreaking storytelling to life for schools, families and different communities. The Lost Lending Library invites audiences to discover a magical world of stories, bringing revellers on a journey which we hope will captivate all who attend.

The festival also supports the presentation of some of the best original and contemporary works for young audiences in Singapore with international collaborations and artistic exchanges. Making their festival debut, Australia’s Terrapin collaborates with Japan’s Aichi Prefectural Art Theater in an Esplanade Co-Commission—Goldfish. Recommended for ages 8 and up, this visually arresting new work explores humanity’s role in times of crisis, transforming simple objects like tarpaulins into oceans and rice sacks into sandbags, evoking powerful imagery. This will be a Relaxed Environment (RE) performance which is perfect for anyone who benefits from a more relaxed setting. No modifications are made to the performance.

Returning to the festival is one of Esplanade’s close collaborators, Australia’s Polyglot Theatre with Pram People, a heartfelt celebration of parenthood. This unique experience invites parents with their young ones in prams to reclaim public spaces and promote bonding within the community. As part of the programme, parents and caregivers will don headphones to listen to a specially crafted narrative, creating an immersive and shared experience. We eagerly anticipate the participation from families here as we shape our very own version of Pram People in Singapore.

Our local artists are at the heart of March On, nurturing creativity and imagination in the next generation through their inspiring work. This year, Esplanade is co-producing A Drop in the Ocean with The Artground, created and performed by Ian Loy, Myra Loke, Ellison Tan, and Stan (Serene Tan). This work has evolved from Ian’s tenure as Esplanade’s Associate Artist in 2019 to a full-scale staging at this year’s March On. Following a warmly received work-in-progress showcase at Sydney Opera House in December 2024, we are excited to bring this tender, sensory experience to Singapore audiences. This is a Relaxed Performance (RP) and specially designed for pre-walking babies, crawlers and early walkers aged 3 to 15 months. The performance is gentle in nature and will be suitable for those who have sensory sensitivities.

We also dive into a new family musical adventure concert, Biru and the Deep Blue Sea. Directed by Adib Kosnan and music-directed by Jonathan Shin, this production will feature the 60-member strong Singapore National Youth Sinfonia (housed within the Singapore National Youth Orchestra), showcasing the talents of young musicians aged 10 – 16. This is a Relaxed Environment (RE) performance as well. 

The festival’s SEEDLINGS programme continues to empower young arts enthusiasts aged 7 – 12 through workshops, discussions, and public engagements. Additionally, PLAYlab 2025 offers artists and families the opportunity to experience and contribute to the early stages of new works, fostering a spirit of collaboration and feedback. 

As always, this year’s lineup also includes an exciting array of free programmes. Among them, Itchy Fingers 1, 2, 3 by Some Club will transform the Esplanade Courtyard into an interactive sculpture garden, blending movement, sound and light into captivating performances. 

We would like to thank our Principal Sponsor, Naturel and Supporting Sponsor, Yamaha for their generous support of March On 2025. Our gratitude also goes to the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Singapore Foundation for their support of Goldfish by Terrapin in association with Aichi Prefectural Art Theater. 

March On is more than an arts festival. It’s a space where young ones can dream, play, and explore in a safe, supportive environment—and where adults can reconnect with their inner child. We hope this festival inspires you to dream boldly, to imagine deeply, and to embark on your own little adventure. 

Let's move and march on, making little steps to big dreams! 

Rachel Lim
Senior Producer
The Esplanade Co Ltd