Avant Theatre & Language

Avant Theatre & Language is an arts organisation that has been doing substantial work in Tamil and English theatre for over two decades. It aims to serve as “a platform to fuse, promote and instil various art forms.” Avant was registered in Singapore in 2011 as a non-profit Company Limited by Guarantee. However, it has its origins in Australia, where it was first established in 2001 when G Selvananthan, the founder and director, was living there. He continues to lead the company. 

From the start, Avant has collaborated with international artists from Australia, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, as well as those from Singapore. Its production in 2002 was featured in the Melbourne Fringe Festival. In addition to artists, Avant also draws from Asian art forms, including Butoh from Japan, Wayang Kulit from Indonesia and Bharathanatyam from India. It partners with other groups, such as the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies in Australia, Manu Arts in India, Fenomena Seni Produksi in Malaysia, and the Ravindran Drama Group in Singapore, to explore ideas and talents across different arts organisations.

Avant’s artistic vision supports Singapore’s efforts to become a global arts hub and incorporates new technologies and strategies to realise that vision. The organisation aims to provide a professional creative platform, showcasing commercially viable productions. It offers workshops, immersion programmes and internships to nurture young talents. It has also expanded its reach to online social media platforms, targeting a broader domestic and international audience.

To celebrate its 10th Anniversary in Singapore in 2011, Avant offered two productions – one in Tamil and the other in English – which were staged back-to-back with a 15-minute interval. The Tamil play was titled “Bhishma the Pitamaha,” and the English play was titled “Bhishma the Grandsire.” These productions also toured India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, where they were well received.Another notable production during the anniversary year was “Romz & Julz” in Tamil, a transcreation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet.” The special feature in this production was the choice given to the audience to view the goings-on behind the stage, which, too, were choreographed to create their own dramatic impact. This innovative approach aimed to provide the audience with a more holistic experience of theatre.  

For its 20th anniversary, in addition to special theatre offerings, Avant produced a coffee-table book that captured in visuals its two-decade journey. It also presented 50 awards to those who had served the Tamil theatre fraternity over the years.



For more information
“Avant Theatre: 20th Anniversary Coffee Table eBook.” Avant Theatre, 2021. https://avanttheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/avanttheatre-ebook-20th-anniversary-coffee-table-ebook-version-hi.pdf
Avant Theatre. “Avant Publications.” Avant Innaiya Medai. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://avanttheatre.com/avant-innaiya-medai/avant-publications/
Avant Theatre. YouTube. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.youtube.com/user/avanttheatre2011/featured
Avant Theatre Facebook. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.facebook.com/avanttheatre/
Avant Theatre (@avanttheatre). TikTok. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.tiktok.com/@avanttheatre?_t=8VbgP8j7fdJ&_r=1
Avant Theatre and Language (@avanttheatreandlanguage). Instagram. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.instagram.com/avanttheatreandlanguage/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
Avant Theatre. Vimeo. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://vimeo.com/user14930929

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.