Soul Journey - Cicada Zen by Siong Leng Musical Association

It is not often one got to see 2 good Chinese productions in a row.  After attended The Theatre Practice's successful restaging of Lao Jiu The Musical the evening before, nanyin group Siong Leng Musical Association presented an engaging multi-sensory performance at the Esplanade Theatre Studio.

The 70-year group took an ancient music form and updated it for the present audience.  Audience entering the auditorium would cleanse their hands and have a sip a cup of chinese tea.  The stage and audience was filled with sounds of cicada before the performance (but don't let audience wait too long!

In addition to the youthful music ensemble, Siong Leng also included guqin player John Thompson, percusion group A Bigger Bang, guzheng player Sophie Gay, harmonica player Xu Tian Chi and Flame of the Forest (Indian music by Govin and Krna Tan) in various segments of the production, showcasing how nanyin music could blend and incorporate various musical sounds well. Sand artist Oscar Ng also provided a visual and ambience to the performance.

This performance succeded in showcasing nanyin in a new light.  The length of performance at 75 minutes was just right, without feeling overly long.  The piece whereby the instrument sibao was used to create the sound of cicada was beautiful.  I would hope for more singing though.

This contemporary presentation of Nanyin is markedly different from the more traiditional nanyin show Melodies from the Temple Courtyard (by the Nanyin Ensemble of Stone City from Fujian Province recently).  Siong Leng Musical Association has carved out a niche for its artistic direction in nanyin development.