Shakespeare In The Park - Twelfth Night

There are many things that I love about Singapore and one of them is watching a performance under the stars at Fort Canning. Shakespeare In The Park by Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) is one of the many "Uniquely Singapore" things that I encourage my friends to try at least once.

Attending Shakespeare In The Park is now a tradition for many, and as many as 30,000 people attended Macbeth last year. Due to its popularity, SRT is now making it an annual event. You don't have to read Shakespeare to watch Shakespeare. Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy that will appeal even to those skeptical of the "serious" Shakespeare plays.

Doors open at 6.30pm and show starts at 7.30pm. My advice is to arrive early to get a prime picnic spot and have an early dinner before the show starts. Bring a mat, drinks and food, and pillows (no kidding, you can lay down and watch the play if you like).

Here are some shots of the stage. Photography is allowed before and after the show. I am really impressed by the set design. It is rather grand for an outdoor play... a boat, a beach, a mansion... a fake full moon!

Here are some shots of the show (pics taken from SRT's Facebook page). I have been good and adhered to the rule of no photography during the show.

The cast is great and Adrian Pang shines as Feste "the fool". I didn't know he could sing so well. He sure has a commanding presence with his comedic character. At one point, he came off stage to interact with us FROWs (front row peeps) and got offered a beer for real by one of the audience. I got to be part of his act when he laid down next to me while singing a song. A rather amusing and light hearted way to enjoy Shakespeare.

Catch it now till 20th May 2012! For more information and meet the cast videos, please visit www.srt.com.sg.

Trainstopping - Catch It Soon!

TRAINSTOPPING: The Year in Revue 2011 is the debut production by Sight Lines Productions, as well as the directorial debut by Derrick Chew. With hilarious songs & skits about everything Singapore; from SMRT train delays to the Orchard Road "ponding" floods, it's a light-hearted musical comedy that will make you laugh at the quirks of Singaporeans (in an endearing way).

It is not very often that I attend a play at Chamber@The Art House and I was admiring the beautiful room while waiting for the show to start.

The talented cast comprises Siti Khalijah (Hossan Leong Show, Model Citizens – “Best Actress”, LIFE! Theatre Awards 2011), Darius Tan (Aladdin, Fried Rice Paradise), and Celine Rosa Tan (Forbidden City, The Full Monty).

These three actors can really sing. Seriously, they could have won Singapore Idol. I was pleasantly surprised by their vocal prowess. They could easily get a role in a West End or Broadway production. I am not exaggerating, they are really that good. They can sing, act and engage the audience at the same time. That's a feat!

As much as I love big international musical productions such as The Lion King and Wicked, I also enjoy smaller local productions like this. The art scene in Singapore needs our support so they can one day compete on an international level. So fellow Singaporeans and friends living in Singapore, why not show your support and play a part in nurturing local talents by watching this show?

To purchase tickets, please visit www.bytes.sg

Romeo+Juliet by W!ld Rice

Romeo+Juliet has been brought to life on the silver screen, as well as on stage in theatres all around the world... but tonight, it's been brought to us by W!ld Rice. The staging of Romeo and Juliet signals W!LD RICE’s commitment to re-envisioning the world’s favourite theatre classics for audiences of the here and now. Romeo and Juliet also marks Ivan Heng’s first Shakespeare production. Renowned for his intelligent and inventive interpretations of the classics, this new W!LD RICE production promises to inspire a new generation of theatre audiences with its passion and power.

What better way to celebrate my wedding anniversary than watching the greatest love story? The lovely flowers were given to me by Ivan Heng when I saw him at the foyer after the show. (Thanks Ivan, for sharing the lovely flowers and your best wishes on my wedding anniversary.)

Singapore's got talent! The all-Singaporean cast makes it "uniquely Singapore" but don't expect to hear a word of Singlish. There won't be any "lahs" "mahs" "mehs" and "lors" to make Shakespeare turn in his grave.


On his programming and approach to the play, Director Ivan Heng said, “I was moved by Romeo and Juliet’s universal and timeless appeal. Anyone who has felt as a teenager that the world was conspiring to limit their choices will be able to identify with Romeo and Juliet. In an affluent rigid society ensnared in a cycle of patriarchal pride, hatred and face-saving, the defiance of the young lovers move us with their passion, their courage and hope. In “holding up the mirror to nature”, we are exploring ways to update and contemporise this play that was written some four hundred years ago. But the real challenge for the company will be to make this play resonate with audiences – to stimulate, entertain and make vivid the distinct value of the live theatrical encounter.”

Juliet played by Julie Wee and Romeo played by Hansel Tan

Here are some photos taken at the rehearsals to give you a taste of what to expect at the play. Familiar faces include Neo Swee Lin, Lim Kay Siu, Lim Yu-Beng and Brendon Fernandez.

Neo Swee Lin is one actor I love watching. She makes you laugh but cries with you too. She plays the nurse to Juliet.

Lim Kay Siu plays Capulet

Brendon Fernandez plays Tybalt and the small role of an apothecary

Lim Yu-Beng as Friar Laurence. Another great actor who is highly versatile. I was surprised to learn that he also choreographed the fight scenes! Impressive.






Romeo + Juliet is playing now till 28th April 2012 at Drama Centre Theatre. For more information, please visit www.wildrice.com.sg.

Cooling Off Day - Must See!

What does it mean to be a Singaporean? What are your views with regards to the political scene in Singapore? What do you think of the General Election last year? These were the questions I ask myself after watching Cooling Off Day, a W!ld Rice production.

Covering a wide social and political spectrum, the play by Alfian Sa'at is based on the transcripts of his real life interviews with various Singaporeans, from taxi drivers to teachers, bloggers to civil servants. Heck! Even sex workers from Geylang! No kidding!



The talented cast comprising Jo Kukathas, Janice Koh, Neo Swee Lin, Rodney Oliverio, Peter Sau, and Najib Soiman took on multiple roles each to represent the different voices of the everyday Singaporeans. As vibrant as the last General Election, the play is funny, honest, realistic but delivered with a sense of humour.

The next General Election is five years away and I am not even sure if I get the chance to vote (River Valley where I live is part of the Tanjong Pagar district which was a walk-over in the election last year), but the play certainly got me thinking about the importance of my right to vote, what I want from my government, and how I would like to do my part to shape my nation.

It doesn't matter if you are pro PAP or Opposition, this is one play that will unite Singaporeans as one nation. You might get a chance to vote again, but you might not get a chance to watch Cooling Off Day again if you miss it. It is showing now till 11 March at SOTA Drama Theatre.

For more information, please visit www.wildrice.com.sg

Spring Awakening!

Progressive, Electrifying, Moving! Highly Recommended!

SPRING AWAKENING is the electrifying, exhilarating Broadway musical adaption of the explosive play by Frank Wedekind. Set in the late 19th century, the repressed emotions of these tormented youths find a voice in the rebel yell of rip-roaring rock anthems and haunting, heart-wrenching ballads, with a story line that is still relevant in the 21st century.




The progressive vision of this musical underscores the tragic timelessness of themes that everyone can relate to – the fragility and transience of youth. I say this is the rock version of telling the story of the birds and the bees... and the dire consequences from the lack of sexual education by parents to their kids. The musical also highlights the immense pressure that parents put on kids, a relatable topic as it is highly prevalent especially in a society like Singapore!


The Broadway production was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning eight, including Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Book, Best Score and Best Actor. The show also won four Drama Desk Awards, while its London production won four Olivier Awards. Glee stars Jonathan Groff and Lea Michelle played the lead in the Original 2006 Broadway Production.



So, how did the Singapore production fare on its opening night? Standing ovation and thunderous applause affirmed that the talented cast is capable of producing performances of international standard. The cast that includes Adrian Pang and Nathan Hartono, displayed great level of vocal prowess, acting skills, and dance moves! They can easily give the GLEE actors a run for their money!

I highly recommend this musical production. Progressive, Electrifying, Moving! Catch it now till 26 February. For ticketing information, please visit www.sistic.com.sg

A GLEE-ful Aladdin by W!LD RICE

Last Sunday, I had the privilege to attend the opening gala performance of Aladdin. First staged at the Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel in 2004, W!LD RICE's Aladdin gave a well-loved fairy-tale a clever local twist and charmed audiences with its side-splitting comedy, heart-warming songs and snazzy dance routines.



This year, Asian Idol Winner Hady Mirza and Singapore Idol runner-up Sylvia Ratonel made their theatrical debuts as Aladdin and Jasmine. Most of us know of Hady from his Singapore idol's fame, but Sylvia's voice was also what impressed me the most. If you don't know who she is (like me before the show), you will want to know more about her after you hear her sing.

Helmed by director Glen Goei, this brand new production from W!LD RICE boasts a soundtrack of original and mash-ups of contemporary pop songs. Think Lady Gaga's Born This Way and Katy Perry's Teenage Dream. If you love GLEE, you will love Aladdin.

Aladdin's star-studded talented cast includes Karen Tan as Wizard ABBA-k'adab-rah, Darius Tan as Widow Wong Kee and Juwanda Hassim as Genie of the Lamp. It will also feature 50 young talents from the age of 4-14 as part of W!LD RICE 's First Stage programme.





W!LD RICE do not receive any funding from The Arts Council or any form of support from the Singapore government. They rely solely on sponsors, theatre goers and supporters to keep doing what they are doing. So why not show your support by buying tickets to watch the feel-good pantomime. Aladdin is not just for kids. As an adult (though I am a kid at heart), I enjoyed it very much. It promises fun for all and is the must-see show of the holiday season.


For more information, please visit:
W!LD RICE : www.wildrice.com.sg
SISTIC: www.sistic.com.sg