What happens to props post-NDP?

Most of the parade's items are reused or recycled; performers get to keep costumes as mementoes
Nur Dianah Suhaimi, Straits Times 16 Aug 09;

Where have the twin nine-storey towers gone?

That may be the question on many people's minds now that the show-stopping National Day Parade (NDP) is over and the 4,000 performers have all gone home.

The three-hour show last Sunday dazzled the 27,000-strong audience with other grand props and decorative items such as giant puppets as well as snazzy costumes, including pom-poms, scarves and fans.

Most of the items are reused in various ways, said Major Lim Soon Meng, logistics and finance chairman of the show committee.

Once the show is over, the props are taken to Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) camps for storage.

The performers usually get to keep the costumes as mementoes.

Planning for the next parade usually begins as soon as one show ends.

The NDP organisers for next year sift through the props and items almost immediately after the parade, to see what can be recycled.

The process of sifting through these items usually takes about two months.

Said Maj Lim: 'As part of our overall green efforts, some of the decorations will be recycled. For instance, we have plans with South West Community Development Council to recycle the banners used into carrier bags.'

The rest of the items will be given to the SAF for various uses, as well as to performing arts and cultural groups that have made requests.

Items not claimed by any party will most likely be thrown away.

Many props and decorative items are usually designed and created from scratch, which is why it takes a year to plan the big show.

Said Maj Lim: 'This year, we engaged local professionals who worked closely with the show and creative team to provide the costume concepts, designs and specifications that are suitable for the show in the various chapters.'

Director-actor Ivan Heng, who has more than 20 years' experience in the theatre scene, was creative director of the show.

The elaborate costumes worn by the performers were designed by local designer Frederick Lee, famed for his wedding gowns.

Once the designs are done, a tendering process is conducted. Companies registered in GeBiz, the government procurement system, can bid for the contract to create these props and costumes.

One of the major considerations in creating props is how they can be maintained and used repeatedly in the coming years.

Said Maj Lim: 'For the old props, the key challenges are mainly maintenance and how they can be creatively reused to suit the show.'