Initially, wonder why the musical was labelled "above 16". After the show I think it's obvious! Several reasons:
- The choice & liberal use of words like "s**ks", "f**k", "s**t", etc. Well, though I don't use these words, it was integrated into the performance very naturally - in song and in conversations. Hm... Something I guess lots of adults missed using especially when they wanted to survive in this society of ours! In fact, these words reminded me of an ex-colleague who could readily 'emit' these words unembarrassing matter! Oh yes, my face would turn red if I were to utter such words! Well, some thought that's the way to express themselves candidly. I think it's really a matter of choice - to be gracious or not to be.
- Discrimination is another topic - the word "racists" was mentioned several time - oh yes, even a song to go with! Of course, it's something not desireable in our local context, in particular to the young. Well, there are several times they sang "A bit of racist is ok"... it has assumed maturity helps to manage action and emotion!? In fact, humorously , as the musical has put it across - the monsters vs the muppets vs the blacks! That reminded me of the racial discrimination learnt about in "To Kill a Mockingbird"!
- Sexual Content, as demonstrated by the 2 puppets - Princeton and Kate, on Christmas eve... in a pretty funny manner!
- Homosexuality is another taboo topic. It was illustrated through the relationship between Nick and Rod. Is saying's believing? Rumours come true? (Well, isn't this something I wrote about earlier this morning)?
Of course, there are also some other messages that get us to ponder. For instance,
- Purpose: What's our purpose in life? This is a question that many of us would have asked ourselves, especially at times when we got frustrate over things! Or when we reflect and start to ask for meaning in life! This normally happen when we reach a certain juncture in our life - on graduation? when we met a setback? or even when we achieve our short term goal (while long term goal is unclear?). Well, in the story, Princeton asked what's his purpose of life? Well, no answer - from beginning till the end... In fact, towards the end, he helped Kate to actualise her purpose of life... making her dream come true - to build a school for the monster kids (as they are deprived from education, because of discrimination!). Oh yes, the Monsterssouri was built at the end of the show.
- The Joy of Giving: Towards the end, when Nick ended up homeless and beg for money. He asked for money, not knowing the joy of giving, except trying to persaude others to give so as to be 'closer to god'. Haha... It sounds like a salesperson talk, right? It seems like only when Princeton parted with his first dollar, he felt the joy and influenced everyone around, including Nick.
This musical is pretty different from the previous ones... a mixture of puppets and human beings... The songs are good... the voices of the performers are good and strong! Though some take on the role of the puppets, the emotions and feelings... er... the soul of the character are fully portrayed through the facial expressions and body language... It's by far, one of the rare productions that comes with little props but I enjoyed...
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