Politics, race, religion and sex are some of the issues that will be showcased at this year's Singapore Theatre Festival.

Ivan Heng, Artistic Director of the Man Singapore Theatre Festival 2011, wants the audience to "think about the challenges and possibilities of our time".

Freedom of speech

This biennially-held festival, which will feature six productions by four theatre companies, encourages people to practise their freedom of speech. Hence there will be feedback sessions after selected screenings where the audience will be invited to give feedback.

Forums featuring prominent public personalities will also be held and there will be an after-hours programme showcasing performances of other theatrical forms. With the plethora of activities, there is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy in this festival.

Home

Also, there will be a series of workshops by Drama Box where the public can share their views about Singapore as their home. These views will serve as inspiration for plays that will be shown to the public for free towards the end of the festival.

It is fitting then that the festival will be held in August, coinciding with Singapore’s National Day on 9 August. This is usually the time when Singaporeans think about what it means to be Singaporean and the meaning of ‘home’.  However beyond the Singapore experience, the festival also aims to make people think about the human experience, hence the themes of death, loss, sexuality and family in the plays.

Those attending the festival can expect intellectually stimulating shows, lively debates and maybe even have their heartstrings tugged at.

As Heng puts it, "This festival is really about the Zeitgeist, the spirit of the times."

The Man Singapore Theatre Festival 2011 will be held from 3-21 August. For a list of the festival’s line-up, click here .