L'amour by ESO Symphony

A concert by amateur group ESO Symphony, led by Eric Lee Tsu Hock.  Pieces performed included Rossini's William Tell Overture, Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante K364 and Bizet's Carmen Suite No 2.  Jeremy Chiew and Nanako Takata were soloists for the Mozart piece.

As an amateur group, the members were a disciplined lot. All in all, a good effort by them.

Review of CATS The Musical at MasterCard Theatres

The musical CATS by Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the most successful musicals in the 1980s.   Based on the T.S. Eliot's “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats”, CATS was about a tribe of Jellicle Cats who met one evening and had to convince Old Deuteronomy that they were deserving to go to Heaviside Layer to be reborn.

As a musical, CATS does not have a strong narrative, but more a collection of musical numbers.  It is thus weaker in plot and rely more on the songs and the strength of the cast.

The ensemble cast surely did not disappoint. Formed for this tour which started in Korea last May, we saw a dedicated and enthusiastic team of singers and dancers, and their energy level rubbed on the audience.

Notable performances came from Earl Gregory (Rum Rum Tugger), Richard Woodfod (Gus), Christopher Favaloro (Mr Mistoffelees) and Martin Croft (Old Deuteronomy).   While Erin Cornell, as Grizabella, sang the main song "Memory" well, she looked too young for the part and did not convey the feeling of a down and out old cat to the audience.

Overall it was an enjoyable performance, the strength of the cast overshadowed the plot.  Cats will always remain a milestone in musical history - catch it for its historical significance.

DISNEY’S Beauty and The Beast coming to Singapore for the First Time!

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning smash hit Broadway musical spectacular, is coming to Singapore for the first time as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations with a first-ever international tour.  This elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at the MasterCard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands from 21 March 2015 for a limited season.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast opened in Istanbul in October 2014 and would also tour United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.  The international tour will see the show’s original Broadway creative team reuniting to bring this Broadway classic to life.

Based on the 1991 Academy-Award winning animated feature film, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast premiered on Broadway in 1994, where it was nominated for nine prestigious Tony Awards and ran for 13 years. It still ranks as one of the longest-running and highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time. Since its debut, the titles visibility and success have expanded globally with subsequent productions produced around the world. Since licensing of the title began in 2004, there have been productions in 22 countries, seen by more than 35 million people, translated into 8 different languages with over 28 thousand performances - equivalent to a run of 67 years, generating over $1.7B in revenue.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

The musical is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West, with Costume Design by Ann Hould-Ward (Tony Award® winner for her work on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), Lighting Design by Natasha Katz, Scenic Design by Stanley A. Meyer, Sound Design by John Petrafesa Jr. and Music Supervision by Michael Kosarin.

The musical boasts music by Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Tangled) and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin), with additional songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice (The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar). The book is written by Linda Woolverton (screenwriter of The Lion King, Alice In Wonderland and the upcoming Maleficent).

PERFORMANCE TIMES: 
Tuesday – Friday 8:00pm;
Saturday: 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm and 5.00pm

TICKET PRICE:  
From $65
* Excludes the booking fee of SGD$3 per ticket BOOKINGS:
THROUGH INTERNET: www.BASEentertainmentasia.com, www.BASEentertainmentasia.com or www.sistic.com.sg

BY PHONE:   +65 6688 8826

15 Years of Dreams from The Red Chamber

This was the last performance for me in 2014, and the first concert at the revamped Victoria Concert Hall.  Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the City Chinese Orchestra restaged its popular programme Dreams from the Red Chamber to a full house audience.

The concert featured the music and songs featured in the hit TV series of the same title composed by Wang Li Ping (王立平). Music Director and Conductor Tay Teow Kiat (郑朝吉) led a well rehearsed orchestra. Vocalist Cui Rui interpreted the songs well whereas the chorus seemed the weaker section.

There was a segment where Wang shared with the audience his inspiration and challenges of his composition.  While it was included initially to make up for the short performance time, it had become a welcoming feature and we got to know the creator better.

It was a good Chinese orchestra concert.  And based on the applause given, the audience, some of them repeated, enjoyed the music offering.

CATS returns to Singapore

CATS, one of the most successful musicals of all time, is returning to Singapore and performing at the MasterCard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands from 9 January 2015.

Based on the T.S. Eliot's “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats”, CATS tells the imaginative tale of a tribe of Jellicle Cats (Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Grizabella and Skimbleshanks). as they gather together for the annual Jellicle Ball, and one by one tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, who must choose one of the Cats to journey to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn into a new life.

The show features a musical score composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, known for other works such as The Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Starlight Express.  Most of us would know the song “Memory” featured in this hit musical.   Together with a fantastical oversized set, inspired choreography and mischievous costumes, CATS is a brilliant song and dance spectacular not to be missed.

Seen by over 70 million people world-wide, CATS first opened in London in May 1981 to rave reviews and went on to win a record-breaking number of awards internationally including two Olivier Awards for ‘Musical of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Achievement of the Year in Musicals’, and seven Tony Awards.  It holds the record for one of the longest-running musicals in West End history playing for 21 years.  In addition CATS played 18 years on Broadway and has been presented in over twenty-six countries, in about three hundred cities, in fourteen languages.

PERFORMANCE TIMES:
Tuesday – Friday 8:00pm;
Saturday: 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm and 6.00pm

TICKET PRICE:
From $65* through to $195
* Excludes the booking fee of SGD$3 per ticket

BOOKINGS:
THROUGH INTERNET: www.BASEentertainmentasia.com, www.BASEentertainmentasia.com or www.sistic.com.sg

BY PHONE:   +65 6688 8826

Mamma Mia! Season Extended

Mamma Mia! is returning to Singapore.  I caught the musical years ago in London, and will be catching it this time in Singapore.   The season in Singapore has been extended to 14 December due to overwhelming demand.  The show opens 13 November at the Marina Bay Sands MasterCard Theatre.   MAMMA MIA! the musical inspired by the classic songs of ABBA.  If you have seen the movie and like the songs of ABBA, you will enjoy this musical.

See my write-up on the ABBA Museum in Stockholm

PERFORMANCE TIMES:                     

Tuesday – Friday 8:00pm; Saturday 2pm and 8pm and Sunday 1pm and 6.00pm

TICKET PRICE:                                     

From $95** Excludes the booking fee of SGD$3 per ticket

BOOKINGS:                          

THROUGH INTERNET:          www.BASEentertainmentasia.com, www.MarinaBaySands.com/Ticketing or www.sistic.com.sg

Potted Potter: Irreverent Fun for Fans

As a fringe theatre performance, Potted Potter was good entertainment for 70 minutes.  Squeezing seven Harry Potter books into that time period, creators Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner succeeded in retelling the story, albeit in an alternative way.  

The first 5 minutes was slightly draggy, but things picked up from Book Two onwards.
Audience participation was a highlight of the show, and we got to play Quidditch in the Jubilee Hall.  On Thursday evening, we had a volunteer who came on stage as a wizard.  Good for her, and of course she won!

Clarkson and Turner were engaging and held audience’s attention with their ridiculous and cheapo props, silly songs and all the wrong references to the book.  While it may not be necessary to be a fan of Harry Potter books, it did help.
A classic it may not be, but definitely good fun for all.

Beatlemania: A Good Survey of the Fab's Music

Beatlemania is a chronological survey of Beatles music, starting from the members' stint in Hamburg (Germany), to their final days together.  This musical-concert was presented in few segments: Hamburg period (with Pete Best), Liverpool, the BBC Sessions, Ed Sulliven Show in the USA, and their subsequent events such as the movie A Hard Day's Night, Sergeant Pepper's period etc.

As a musical staging, it could be monotonous as there was not much dramatic elements into it.  The stage set was simple, with simple projection screen acting as backdrops and indicating the period they were in.  As a performance, however, the 4 actors put up a good show.  Most of them did have some resemblance to the original members and they sounded like them too.  The band was tight and their playing and singing were definitely the highlight of the show.

This is the 50th anniversary of Beatles conquering the United States music scene.  It was thus timely that we were treated to an enjoyable performance by this tribute band.  It just reminded us how great the music of the Beatles are, and how Paul, John, George and Ringo would continue to win new fans over the next 50 years and more.

Cavalia: Experiencing the performance by feel and touch

On 27 Aug, some visually impaired children were invited to experience hands-on Cavalia, a production currently staging at the gigantic white tent next to the Marina Bay Sands.  Cavalia is a multi-disciplinary show which feature riders, aerialists, acrobats, musicians and of courses, the horses.  

It was a good initiative by the Presenter and the Cavalia team to create a special experience for these children.  To begin the journey, the children, teachers and parents were first brought to the farrier's station where they had the chance to touch and feel the tools of making a horse shoe.  Most children were able to overcome their initial shyness and participate in the activities.


At one corner, the children smelt and touched the hay, grains and fruits fed to the horses, thereby understanding the diet of these stallions.   A few students from the Lighthouse School were game enough to ride on the saddle.

Beatlemania On Tour

While the original band may have disbanded decades ago, their music and image still live on through the tribute band Beatlemania.   Beatlemania is coming to perform in Singapore at the MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands from 5-6 September 2014.  Tickets are available at SISTIC.

The concert would take audiences on a journey through the main years of the ‘Fab Four’ with a fascinating musical story that explores the band’s humble beginning in Liverpool, its rise to fame, cultural change and the Beatlemania phenomenon that changed music forever.

Employing authentic ‘Beatle instruments’, amplifiers and costumes, coupled with musically perfect renditions of your favourite Beatles classics, Beatlemania – On Tour recreates the spirit of The Beatles in ways that have audiences raving about them for weeks.  The Singapore performance will feature UK’s Joe Kane (Paul McCartney), Clark Gilmour (John Lennon), Craig McGown (George Harrison) and Grahame Critcher (Ringo Starr), selected for the show in 2013.  New moments have been added, including new musical tracks that will have audiences out of their seats the whole night long.  

While we cannot have the real thing, we still have Beatlemania.