Esplanade Outdoor Theatre: Renovate for nothing?

[danilo]

Went to the new Esplanade Outdoor Theatre for Baybeats, and feel that its a waste of $$ to renovate it.

1) The audience area is not much bigger, only about 1/3 bigger than original?
2) The shelter still doesn't function to shield out the rain, gigs may still have to be cancelled if there's bad-weather

If I recall, re-construction of it was even halted last year, because of 'lack of funds'?

 

[emptyspaces]

but you have to admit the sound system is way way better.

 

[someone]

I think its is a definite improvement.

Altho the shelter cannot handle heavy rain, it does mean that light rain need not stop the show.

the previous ODT had only 50% of the stage and audience covered so even if there is only one or two drops of rain then kenna cancel.

New design is much more open allowing a far great number of ppl to watch. Altho seating capacity is only slightly increase there is a lot more room to stand at the edges so better.

I think the idea is to maintain the "outdoor" aspect of the design, and to maintain the view across the bay (got to be one of the best gig backdrops in the world!)

My suggestion only suggestion would be to add in some kind of retractable drapes at the back of the stage so that in the case of rain the wind doesn't blow the rain onto e stage.

Kinda like Kopi Tiam style

 

[betsybug]

On Sat, both of Vertical Rush's sets were canceled - the first one due to heavy rain, and the second one due to a few drops of water!

 

[Amazing]

and u can't deny it look pretty freakin awesome too

 

[mrforum]

i never been to esplanade. ok la once. ONCE. maybe twice.

 

[daryl]

mrforum: ...what's your point

 

[mus]

Been once or twice to Esplanade?. You got to be joking?.

 

[niteblade]

ha ha ha ha

 

[fgl]

How long is the waitlist to play there ?? ... I applied for my band more than 1 year havent had any slots ..... though previously I had played there wt other bands .... anyone with similar waitlist stories?

 

[XLayaR]

I can't believe they took so long to do it though, didn't look like something that needed THAT much time

 

[e4t3n]

Well to me it looks much nicer aesthetically, sound system is much better also.

However, the seating capacity seems to have shrunk?

 

[mus]

The sound system is awesome. I had a preview of it during baybeats. Ya, the seating capacity a bit shrunk, maybe for more people to stand and watch. I like the steps leading to the river behind the stage.

 

[atee]

Actually when they first started the renovation they had intended for a much more spectacular blueprint; including a stage that was right above the water (i.e. 'floating') and a much bigger audience area. But there were some problems in achieving that, i think it could be that of getting permission to have the stage above water, and so they had to settle for less.

This is what I heard from one of the people who works closely with them, am not saying it's the exact truth!

But yea, the new stage is very disappointing. The sound system seems more impressive, but hearing it being used at baybeats was disappointing too; it was blasting a bit too loud that it hurt the ears after a while.

 

[mrforum]

mrforum: ...what's your point

i havent been there for like a very long time, i dont even know what it looks like anymore.

 

[shredrat]

well i still prefer the old esplanade. Cosy and less intimidating then the current bigger 1. I like the old one better hahaha. Well the bigger one looks great too.

 

[visa]

the sound system that they used for baybeats was rushed and temporary, they didn't have time to get it done properly then.

it can only get better

 

[roninriot]

I heard a rumour that the Powerhouse stage has been shut down and that the outdoor stage has to have its volume cut down to half...
..Because one of our 'guhmen' people was having lunch at Fulletin Hotel and was complaining about the noise.

And by 'guhmen' people I mean the biggest of the big persons, the big big big boss of the country.

Not sure about the validity of the story but that's what I've been told from multiple sources.

 

[visa]

what?!

if that happens, we must spam the press and the media and MAKE OURSELVES HEARD!

 

[KDY]

Roninriot: So much for the promoting of arts in sg..