The original concept for this year's National Day Parade (NDP) had been finalised in February.

Royston Tan, the Creative Director for NDP2020, told us, "It's about difference, and then different temperatures [during] different parts of the day in Singapore, so it's a very visual thing."

(Yep, that's the same Royston Tan who directed "15", "881", and "12 Lotus".)

Then Covid-19 came along, and the planning committee had to abandon all the work they've done so far when they received the news in early April.

"So, when we were all ready with the music and everything right, then when Covid-19 came we had to throw away the original concept and we worked the theme to focus it more on the sentiment of fellow Singaporeans in this very difficult timeline."

Planning for the next NDP usually starts right after the preceding NDP, making it a year-long process.

In this case, however, the 22-person strong team (supported by the Singapore Armed Forces) only had three months to make it happen — about a quarter of the time that they would usually have.

Another unfortunate result of Covid-19 was having to axe a drastic number of performers.

Instead of thousands of participants, the group has been whittled down to 87.

Performers from long-term show partners, such as the PA (People's Association), MOE (Ministry of Education), and Buddhist organisation SOKA had to be excluded from the show.

Tan revealed,

"[They] were very disappointed as many were looking forward to their participation at the NDP Show. We were in the midst of gathering performers for the show when we had to put a stop to all such activities as restrictions were tightened. Nevertheless, they understood and continued to contribute by putting together videos that are posted on NDPeeps."

Swab tests for everyone

Add safe distancing restrictions into the mix, and it's a pressure cooker environment for the team.

Not only do rehearsal attendance need to be capped at a certain number but those present will also have to maintain a one-metre distance from one another.

This applies on stage as well, where markers are placed on the floor that the dancers cannot cross.

Other measures include but are not limited to:

• Having to wear masks for all dance routines, except strenuous ones
• Comprehensive disinfection
• Staggered rehearsals and meal times
• Designated movement routes

Those involved in the show are also required to undergo Covid-19 swab tests.

Tests, as in two tests per person, spread out over the rehearsal period. One has been conducted so far, and the second is looming, Tan said.

After each swab, the crew and performers are told to stay at home for the next three days, until the results are ready.

This ensures that everyone on the set is Covid-free, as far as possible.

Next, it's contingency plans and more contingency plans, should anyone be tested positive.

Besides deciding on the venue, this was also one of the biggest challenges in pulling the show together, according to Tan.

He explains in a casual mix of English and Mandarin,

"So we had to come up with Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F.

After D, is ya, it's F. (Note: After D comes E, not F. Evidently, Tan has been working very hard.)

So and then we also have to really bear in mind like, for example, what if one of the performers, they are positive for Covid then how do we still continue the show, so it was like playing chess. There were a lot of configurations.

So apart from being creative, you have to be very flexible."

Behind the scenes

All that aside, what does Tan actually do as a creative director?

It's "many many meetings" with the creative team, apparently.

During crunch time, the team meets almost every day, and can disperse at late as 3am.

"Meet until we confuse lah. I never have so many group chats in my phone before. I used to think that I have no friends but after this NDP, got friends," Tan joked.

With the show just a few days away, Tan would count it successful as long as the audience can relate to it.

"It's not the kind of 100 people take the flag and 'yeah!!!' stuff.

I think relatable, and echoing people from all walks of life lah. So I have the auntie from the kopitiam, I have migrant workers, fellow Singaporeans that you see every day, right down to the essential workers. We always call them essential workers or frontline fighter that kind of stuff, but we don't realise that they are also probably a father or mother or daughter to somebody else. And in this year's NDP we're able to highlight that."

NDP 2020 will be broadcasted live from the Star Performing Arts Centre. You can watch it on MediaCorp channels and NDPeeps's YouTube channel on Aug. 9, from 7pm.

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Top photo via NDP2020 Executive Committee and Lauren Choo