My favourite arts performances for 2012

2012 has come to an end.  The following is a list of performances that I like:


(1) Zhang Hui Mei's AMeiZing World Tour (Jan). After so many years, she still gave a good performance.  Not all segments were enjoyable, but her acoustic and her non-stop ballads segments definitely were memorable.

(2) Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf directed by Nelson Chia at the Huayi Festival.  A good cast, good scrpt and tight directing.  There is definitely hope for Singapore Chinese Theatre. http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/01/huayi-festival-2012.html

(3) Lao Jiu: The Musical by The Theatre Practice (Jul).  This restaging was a triumph.  The script, the music, the cast, the directing - all have improved leaps and bounds.  Maybe they could relook and restage Liao Zai Rocks!

http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/07/lao-jiu-musical.html

(4) Soul Journey - Cicada Zen by Siong Leng Musical Association (July).  Taking an old art form and giving it new life.  The group succeded this time in fusing various elements into this performance: multimedia, sand artist, Indian music.  Awaiting their next production. http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/07/soul-journey-cicada-zen-by-siong-leng.html

(5) The pop concerts at F1 (Sep):  Big names, good performances from Maroon 5, Katy Pery and Noel Galliger's High Flying Birds.  But can the organisers do something to the audience area please? 
 http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/09/noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds-katy.html

(6) Philip Genty's Voyages to Nowhere (Nov).  A return to Singapore after more than 20 years. The visual theatre group still gave a surreal yet touching performance.  http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/11/philippe-gentys-voyages-to-nowhere.html

(7) God of Carnage by Singapore Repertory Theatre (Nov).  With a great script, nothing can go wrong.  Of course, a good cast and good staging helps.  2 sets of parents arguing over their children's fights in school turned out more than just that.  http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/11/god-of-carnage-singapore-reperory.html

(8) Jersey Boys @ Marina Bay Sands (Nov).  The story of 4 boys becoming world famous band may look too formulaic, but the script was well written and the staging was good.  Good singing definitely. http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/11/jersey-boys-marina-bay-sands-singapore.html 

(9) Roots by The Finger Players (Dec).  Possibly the best local production this year.  Oliver Chong wrote, directed and acted in this play where he talked about his travels to China in search of his roots.  Simple theme, but done well.  http://clumsycompass.blogspot.sg/2012/12/roots-finger-players.html





Here's to more good shows in 2013!