16 April 2023 The Soldier & His Virtuous Wife《都是当兵惹的祸》

One of those rare attempts - to catch a drama. 

It was another brave move... for the first time, catch a mandarin drama or musical (?), despite the not-so-good experience with the another show watched last year. 

What catch my attention was the title... which was pretty eye-catching... what kind of trouble could one get into trouble for going to the army? 

It seemed to be a re-run... or to be more precise, there's a re-run every few years. 

On the other hand, the storyline is not strong actually - though it could be break for someone who wanted to unwind. In terms of music and songs... it's a small local production... good try... 💪👏

Local Production (20221204) Sibeh Strange by Chestnuts

Hardly go for local production. Most of the time, I would choose the "bigger" productions from overseas as I'm equally attracted to the props/ settings apart from the story line. Was looking for something to substitute some of the holiday emptiness (as I'm not travelling overseas this year).

Bought the ticket to Sibeh Strange, I think, together with tickets to 2 other local productions - Don't call him Mr Mari kita and the LKY musical. While Mr Marikita was 'called off' (as a few cast members were Ag+), I managed to catch it online during at a National Day online event. It was a nice one! Where I got to learn more about the composer, more importantly, his passion through the songs, which I could resonate though many of them are in Malay. Actually, there wasn't much of a cast, but it's the songs that I enjoyed. Indeed, I wondered if I would have enjoyed as much if I had watch it live? (LINK)

The LKY Musical is worth the value of money, I felt. Not because of Kit Chan (that was the first time I listened to her live) but as a whole - the story and the characters. Of course, the cast, as a whole, too. There were some parts where humour was subtly integrated into the play, more importantly, not over-doing it. It's quite refreshing - to learn a bit about LKY in the pre-LKY era (i.e. before his premiership). The story line is strong and clear, though predictable. Respect - to the character, to the cast.

Chose to watch "Sibeh Strange" as I had not watched a more 'contemporary' local performance for a long time... with a local story.... I recalled the last one I watch... probably was Dim Sum Dolly, which had a pretty nice and funny story line - with a bit of the sitcom flavour. So, why not - try Sibeh Strange?

The started with 2 ladies hoping to get the role of Kwa Geok Choo in the LKY musical. Sounded similar? Oh yes, somehow... but I wonder... if I had not watched the LKY musical, would I be able to figure out and appreciate what the 2 actresses were trying to do? Along the way, it brought back several scene, but "adapted" or "distorted"??? from the musical with more 'humour' injected into the dialogues. The audience laughed... but I was wondering, where's the respect to the character, or the original show? Something not quite acceptable, from my perspective.  

The show adopted the 'metaverse' style to bring the audience through various 'spaces' with different "revisits"... Maybe I'm not used to this rapid "jump around" - I found it chaotic and lack linkages. There's effort to bring in some of the more 'current' topics... However, they didn't leave much impressions. 

 

Local Production (20221009)The LKY Musical

 

Did not watch its first run several years ago... 

Thought it was quite timely - when the SMM has eased and musicals are back... and what's more, it's about our national figure! Can't be wrong though I think most of us would think it's about LKY's role in the nation's struggle to independence. 

It started off with the 'critical' point where the announcement was made... which as Singaporeans, would not forget the emotional scene when LKY announced that Singapore would be on our own... nevertheless, it's presented from a different perspective - the waiting moments that Kwa Geok Choo went through, and there... it started the throwback... when the story unfolded....

Simple stage set-up... like the 2-3 storey stage set-up. They were like the various TV boxes of that showed different scene sometimes. Well-utilised. 

The articulation was clear and storyline was simple yet audience could get connected to it easily. 

Humour was subtly weaved into the dialogues. Yes, the cast put up a good show! The tone and register. Yes, Kit Chan and Adrian Pang were good! 

An afternoon well spent.

LINK to website

The Play: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Just realised that I've not put up a single post in 2017!
And this is the first post since December 2016 😁

It's the first time, I think, or it's after so many years that I would have forgotten, that I watched a play - a play without any sound or music, a play that's fully conversation.

Chanced upon this play when I was 'wandering' at Sistic website - yes, it's been quite a long time I've not gone for more cultural stuff.

I've not read about this book, but the introduction of the show (in the website) came with long impressive accolades.

I did not expect myself gotten the ticket in one of those long weekends that I would drag my feet out of the house; well, after watching the show, I think my afternoon time was well-spent :)

I enjoyed the show. I enjoyed the stage effects. It's a cube with three walls filled with grids!
And of course, the performance of the cast, in particular, the core character, Christopher Boone, who has with him the Asperger syndrome. As I watch the character more closely, I started to connect his character with some youths whom I know. I guess, I am now more aware of the frustration they faced; or perhaps I now better understand why sometimes they tend to press on our hot buttons...

Something which I found very unique of this play was its conclusion, which ended with solving a Math problem!