Review: Three Inches of Alive, and Serunding

Three Inches of Alive was the winning play of the 24-hour Playwriting Competition 2014 organised by TheatreWorks' Writing & Community Programme.  Written by Clarilyn Khoo, the play was about an archivist who did research on a deceased lady Leila who was considered a pioneer of Malaya.  The playwright presented it in a form of conversation between the dead and the living.  Interesting idea, but not much variation in the delivery of dialogue.

Director Irfan Kasban moved the production at a good pace and Gyan Lee and Siti Zuraida gave competent performance as the archivist and the Leila respectively.  The set design by Gerald Leow was realistic and beautiful.

With some re-writes, Three Inches of Alive could be restaged again for a wider audience.

In June last year, I had the opportunity to catch Serunding written by Ahmad Musta'ain Bin Khamis, another winning play of the 24-hour Playwriting Competition in 2010.

Aidli Mosbit was excellent as Safiah, a Malay homemaker and a devout Muslim.  Safiah was a typical mother, with a lot of expectations on her children and at the same time tried to get along with her mother in law.   Of course, things did not go well as planned, in particular her relationship with her daughter.

Set in the living room, we watched Safiah go through the daily routine while relating her story to us.  Reminded me of Emily of Emerald Hill, in a good way.

At the audience feedback session, some audience felt that the play could be extended to an hour or so.  The playwright replied that he was focusing on other projects and unlikely to rework on this script.  A pity, as I felt that this play has potential to be a good Singaporean work.  Nonetheless, a good play, a good production and good initiative by TheatreWorks in organising the playwriting competition.

Cofee Amo (KL): Beautiful latte foam design

Recommended by my cousin, Coffee Amo did a decent cup of latte.  More impressively was the latte foam design.   Located within the Kuala Lumpur Chinatown vicinity, Coffee Amo is a good place to spend a quiet time in the afternoon.

Address:
1st Floor, 54, Jalan Sultan, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

See more pages on Malaysia

Chinese New Year decoration and light up at Chinatown

Year of the Goat in 2015.  This year, the decoration along South Bridge Road was more "money-minded". Shouldn't we keep to the spirits of the Lunar New Year and be less commercialised?

It seemed that last year's design team was involved in this year's project, but somehow last year's final products were better.  (Year of the Horse at Chinatown)

Nonetheless, Happy Year of the Goat!

Review: A Second Life and Circle Mirror Transformation

Theatre company Little Red Dot staged A Second Life The Arts House Playden in end January.  Tan Suet Lee has written an interesting play exploring reality versus virtual space and relationship.  The staging however was draggy as scene changes were too long - the space could be better utilised.  The cast of four were generally competent.  I like Varshini's portrayal of the cyber lover Louella.  Andrew Choo also gave credible performance as Adam, friend of the couple Lawrence (Ian Chionh) and Mary (Gillian Tan). Overall the play was stronger than the production.

I enjoyed past performances staged by theatre company Pangdemonium.  I however found its latest production, Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker, rather tame.   While the play used the process of drama rehearsals to reflect on human relationships and interactions, the message was rather bland and did not offer audience much insights.

The ensemble was good (Adrian Pang, Neo Swee Lin, Nikki Muller, Daniel Jenkins) and young actress Selma Alkaff was a surprise in this production.  The play was directed by Tracie Pang and the set design was by Wong Chee Wai.

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