Review: Cats The Musical at Marina Bay Sands

Cats the Musical has been staged three or four times in Singapore since it landed on our shores in the early 1990s.  It was the first long run musical playing in Singapore, held at the Kallang Theatre.  The show last played in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands Theatres in 2015.

It would be my third time watching the musical.  For some reasons, I did not enjoy my first encounter of Cats in London West End.  This could be because I prefer musicals with a strong storyline.  I did have a change of opinion when I saw it again in 2015 at the MBS Theatre in 2015, due to a good cast and staging. (Review of 2015 Cats The Musical)

Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the musical took place in a junkyard where on one special night of the year, the Jellicle Cats would tell their stories to the wise Old Deuteronomy, who would then choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn.

The problem with, or uniqueness of, Cats the Musical is that it does not have a strong narrative.  It is made up of different segments of tales related by the Jellicle cats. It is thus left to the director and cast to deliver each individual segment.  Fortunately, the cast did not disappoint.   Joanna Ampil’s Grizabella had both the emotions and the voice for an old and outcast cat.  Her rendition of “Memories” was touching. (However, her costume still looked glam to me!).   I also like the segments by Skimbleshanks (the railway cats), Gus the Theatre Cat, and Mr Mistoffelees.  The set design extended to the auditorium and the Jellicle Cats appeared among the audience at times.  While it added some fun to the audience, I did not feel it was necessary.

The bad acoustics of the MBS theatres did not occur this time, and it thus made a pleasant theatre going experience.

Overall, this production has strong production values and the cast is enthusiastic.  Good night out for families, and for those who want to find out more before catching the movie version.

The show runs till 5 Jan 2020.   Tickets available at sistic.com.sg.

Aladdin the Musical review: Genie stole the show in Slick Disney Production

An excited crowd gathered at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands on 25 Jul to attend the gala opening of Aladdin the musical, the only performing stop in Asia.  Still running in both Broadway and West End, Singapore audience was fortunate to catch a recent production performing in Singapore

Most people would be familiar with the story, or through the 1992 animated musical movie featuring the voice of Robin Williams’ voice as the Genie.  And of course we have the 2019 movie starring Will Smith.  Thus, what could the stage version offer to the live audience?

This production managed to strike a balance between catering to the family audience and to the young at heart.  Some slapstick scenes were aimed at the children, which drew laughter from the young ones.    

Graeme Isaako and Shubshri Kandiah have good chemistry as Aladdin and Jasmine, and both have good singing voice.  A lot of applause was given to the carpet flying scene where they delivered the song “A Whole New World”.

Kurios has arrived : Raising the Big Top!

A sunny Saturday afternoon, and we gathered at Bayfront Avenue to witness the raising of the Big Top, signalling the official arrival of the spectacular show KURIOS by Cirque du Soleil.  The photo above was before the tent was raised.

Cirque du Soleil returning to Singapore with KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities

After thrilling the Singapore audience with Kooza, Cirque du Soleil would be returning to our shores with another production KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities from 5 July to 4 August.  Tickets are available via Sistic, cirquedusoleil.com/kurios, or over the phone at +65 6348 5555.

KURIOS will premiere under a brand-new white-and-grey Big on Bayfront Avenue, next to Marina Bay Sands. Written and directed by Michel Laprise, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop, transporting the audience inside a fantasy world where everything is possible. Set in the latter half of the nineteenth century, a scientist (“The Seeker”) is convinced that there exists a hidden world – a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams await. Out of his curio cabinet steps an international cast of 47 artists from 17 countries, a collection of otherworldly characters made up of world-class gymnasts, acrobats, contortionists, hand-puppeteers, yo-yo wizards, clowns, actors and musicians. Together they turn the Seeker’s steampunk world upside-down as they are guided by an energetic gypsy jazz, electro swing soundtrack.

Cirque du Soleil is known for its slick production and daring acrobatic stunts, and it should not be any different for KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities.

Phantom of the Opera: Review

It’s no small wonder that the Phantom of the Opera is still playing after 30 years.  The musical returns to Singapore for the second time this decade, and audience is expected to pack the auditorium.

The set of seemed to be smaller than the previous production but it was more striking.  A smaller staging area allowed for intimate interaction among the cast.  The sound, the main complaints for the theatre, was perfect on the gala night.

The Phantom of the Opera opens 24 April!

The ever popular musical The Phantom of the Opera would be returning to our shores in April.  The production opens 24 April for a limited run at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands
Tickets are now on sale through SISTIC (www.sistic.com.sg) and Marina Bay Sands ticketing.

The Phantom Of the Opera tells the tale of a disfigured musical genius ‘The Phantom’ who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House.  Mesmerised by the talents and beauty of a young soprano, Christine, the Phantom lures her as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Unaware of Christine’s love for Raoul, the Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, madness and passions collide.

Adapted from a novel by French writer Gaston Leroux, Andrew Llyod Webber’s Phantom of the Opera has, since its dubit in 1986, won over 70 major theatre awards, including seven Tony’s on Broadway and four Olivier Awards in the West End.  The musical became the longest running show in Broadway history in 2006 when it surpassed “Cats”, another Lloyd Webber’s musical.  It has been in Broadway for over 30 years.

Jonathan Roxmouth and Meghan Picerno would play the roles of the Phantom and Christine respectively.