In recent years, street buskers have become more popular along Orchard Road. In the beginning, most buskers were musicians—usually just a guy with a guitar, mic, and speakers. That was the typical street busking scene in Singapore.
Whenever I walk along Orchard Road and see street performers, I always take a moment to pause and watch or listen. I try to be a good audience member and show respect to the performers because I know it’s not easy to be one in this city. Local artists struggle to get their names out there and gain recognition, as international artists tend to dominate the scene. Choosing to become a performer instead of following a conventional career path is a tough decision.
Despite the challenges, some brave souls defy their parents’ expectations and choose a path they truly enjoy. Some endure hardships on their way to fame, some eventually return to traditional careers, while others take to the streets to showcase their talent and share their art with the masses.
Not long ago, I was lucky enough to witness two exceptional street performers who took their craft to another level. These weren’t your typical buskers; they were showcasing something unique—something that takes years to master. That’s why they managed to attract a large audience during their performances.
Among all the street performances I’ve seen, theirs were the ones that kept me watching from start to finish. They were so entertaining, and the crowd was fully engaged, reacting with excitement and showing their appreciation through generous tips. I was truly impressed by their artistry.
They weren’t your average buskers. One was a master puppeteer, and the other was a skilled circus performer.
Both delivered top-notch performances, captivating the audience regardless of age. People were so enthralled that many tipped them generously.
The Master Puppeteer
The first performance I saw was by a master puppeteer. I didn’t catch the entire show, but the part I saw was enough to tell that he had mastered his craft. His puppets appeared to be handcrafted—most likely his own creations—which made them even more impressive.
The segment I witnessed was called the "Mama Dino Show." How did I know it was a mother dinosaur? Because halfway through the act, the dino puppet laid an egg, and almost instantly, the egg hatched into a baby dino. How cool is that? I captured a short video of this moment, and it was incredibly entertaining. Since it seemed to be the end of his act, I moved on to another busker.
The Circus Performer
The next act was a circus performer, and he was definitely one of a kind. His performance was both challenging and engaging, starting with crowd control.
Safety was his top priority—not just his own, but more importantly, the audience’s. Since he was performing on the street, he had to manage the crowd’s movement carefully. He set up ropes to mark the performance area and gathered as many spectators as possible to form a human barrier that prevented passersby from accidentally walking into his space.
Despite his efforts, a few people still crossed into the performance zone, which was frustrating for him. However, he handled these moments like a pro, turning awkward situations into something funny and entertaining.
For example, when two ladies unknowingly stepped into his boundary, he paused his act and jokingly announced, "...and now, the two ladies will perform a backflip!" The crowd burst into laughter, including the two women. I thought this was a clever way to diffuse the situation, showcasing his professionalism and quick thinking.
His social handle is 
All of his stunts were impressive, but the highlight of his performance was his act with the giant metal ring. It’s difficult to describe in words, but it was mesmerizing. Thankfully, I managed to capture parts of his performance on video, and I’d love to share them with you.
I hope you enjoy the short clips!
