I'm quite keen to experience the Durian (ok, I know it isn't the official name), apart from the guided tours. Would someone know how you can see what's on offer and then book tickets, if you're based abroad? (I'll be visiting from the UK in late October.) If that isn't possible, how hard is it to get tickets to a show a night or so before going?

It's nice and easy to book tickets for shows, just go to www.sistic.com.sg and you can browse through upcoming performances. You can book online and pick up your tickets at the venue. I've done it for a few different shows for when I've been passing through Singapore and had no problems at all. Hope you find something enjoyable!

Very nice advice, and quite a useful link for exploring what Singapore has to offer at night. Thanks, GibSpmuh!

Hi, for shows specifically at the Esplanade, you could visit the ESP's website and click on "Event Calendar", followed by the month http://www.esplanade.com

hope you found something that interests you in Oct!! i love the ESP!!!!!!!

don't forget to reserve some time before the performance for a trip to the ESP's revamped rooftop terrace when you're here (provided it's ready by then; I brought my friends there last weekend and found that they've closed it to add a garden to the rooftop terrace and it's expected to be re-opened only in "late Oct 04". SOB....well, i shall look forward to going there again when watching Mamma Mia!!

for the record, there is another ticketing agent in SG, called Ticketcharge but they don't handle as many events (esp those at the ESP) http://www.ticketcharge.com.sg

We need more people supporting the ESP!!!!! (unfortunately, i don't work for the ESP so i don't benefit from this free ad. haha)

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Esplanade in the black after Govt grants
~ The Straits Times dated 20 September 2004 Monday

THE Esplanade on Monday reported better-than-expected financial results for its first full year of operations ending March 31, 2004.

The non-profit, public-funded arts centre had a balance of S$8.1 million after its S$31.5-million operating deficit was offset by government grants totalling S$39.6million.

This was an improvement over the previous financial year. In its first six months of operation from October 2002 to March 2003, the durian-domed centre posted an overall deficit of S$3.7million - even with government grants.

Chairman of the Esplanade's board of directors Edmund Cheng and Esplanade Chief Executive Officer Benson Puah attributed the savings for the 2003/2004 financial year to belt-tightening measures enforced as a result of Sars, terrorism scares and a weak business environment.

In the face of some Sars-related programme cancellations by overseas groups last year, Mr Puah said, the arts centre stepped up community programmes to bring in the audiences.

So it still lost S$39.6 million of taxpayer money (including mine). This is supposed to be good news?