Foreverest is a new multidisciplinary work by Singaporean vocalist and composer Sushma Soma, exploring love, loss and the quiet strength of human resilience.
The project began as an intimate response to personal tragedy. In 2023, Sushma’s husband, Shri, an experienced mountaineer, fulfilled his dream of reaching the summit of Mount Everest but did not return. The loss left her in silence, both emotionally and physically, as she developed a vocal condition that took away her ability to sing. Over time, she began to heal through writing and reflection, and from that process emerged her acclaimed EP The Mountain Has the Last Say. That work, tracing her journey through grief towards rediscovery, now forms the creative foundation for Foreverest, an expansive, devised work that weaves together sound, story and image.
Sushma Soma, Singapore Creator, Performer, Writer & Composer
Foreverest is a collaboration that spans continents. Working with UK theatre director Debbie Hannan and US-based composer Aditya Prakash, and mentored by the internationally acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan, Sushma brings together artists from diverse disciplines and cultural perspectives. The result is a deeply human piece that invites audiences to reflect on memory, nature and endurance. Through recorded soundscapes, song, poetry and visual storytelling, Foreverest reimagines the mountain not only as a place of loss but as a symbol of continuity and transformation.
The development process is as layered as the work itself. The first phase began in 2024 with interviews and field research involving mountaineers and others who had experienced grief and recovery. These encounters informed a series of writing and musical residencies in Singapore and India. Further residencies in Singapore and London are planned throughout 2025, as the team continues to build the narrative and musical structure before entering a full production phase in early 2026. The world premiere is scheduled for May 2026.
By supporting Foreverest, The Foundation continues its commitment to champion Singaporean artists who create work that challenges, heals and connects. This is a story that transcends boundaries, offering an intensely personal yet universal reflection on love, loss and renewal.
As the project continues to evolve, we invite you to follow its journey and witness its transformation from idea to performance. Stay tuned as Foreverest unfolds through its residencies in Singapore, London and Mumbai, leading to its world premiere in 2026.
