Esplanade Theatres on the Bay

About this place

Esplanade Theatres on the Bay is a performing arts centre near the mouth of the Singapore River. It has two rounded buildings, one with a concert hall of about 1,600 seats and the other a theatre of about 2,000. People call it «The Durian», as its spiky roof recalls that famous Asian fruit. The idea goes back to a 1989 report by the Advisory Council on Culture and the Arts, which noted a lack of large venues, since Victoria Theatre and its concert hall were too small. An arts centre body was set up in 1992 to build it, and the name was announced in 1994, after nearby Esplanade Park. Triangular metal panels shade the glass of both domes, and their look shifts with the light, turning almost gold at night. Waterfront walks, restaurants and benches overlook Marina Bay around them. The building looks out on the city skyline on one side and the park on the other. It is 600 m in a straight line from Raffles Hotel and 1 km from Clarke Quay, and easily reached from Esplanade station. Evening is good for pictures and a walk along the water. Its programme changes constantly, so check the listings if you want to see a show and pick what suits you, as some performances include music and dance.