First performed in 1979 by The Washington Ballet, Choo San Goh’s “Birds of Paradise” was restaged in 2022 by Singapore Ballet for their Ballet Under the Stars season. Set to Alberto Ginastera’s Harp Concerto, the piece is about what we admire in creatures such as the exotic birds of paradise: their sleekness and agility, the eye-catching poses they can strike and alter instantaneously, and the beauty of their flitting from perch to perch. These elements are what inspired Goh to choreograph a gutsy piece with a kinetic pull from start to finish.

In our ongoing relationship with Singapore Ballet, we were engaged on this occasion to reimagine and recreate the original costumes working from a combination of old archival photography and costume samples. Placement and shape were determined, colours matched, and print engineered to complement and convey the original costume designs. We then produced the unitards worn throughout the piece.

Birds of Paradise, 2022 Singapore Ballet

Production Credits

Choreography: Choo San Goh
Music: Alberto Ginastera

Photo Credits: Bernie Ng