As mentioned in my previous post, i was at the press con of The Tempest on 31 March at The Swiss Hotel, Singapore. Anyway, went to watch The Tempest at Esplanade Theatre on 3rd April.
I thought hard. Really hard about how I was going to discuss the experience watching this play. The most straightforward thing you will probably ask me is, "Did you enjoy it?" The simple answer. "Yes"
Why then the difficulty in trying to write this piece? Well, first of all, I din want anyone reading this thinking, "Ya, well, you wanna look arty farty, like you appreciate the sophistication of the literary world, that's why you have to say you enjoyed it." In fact, i am telling the truth. OK, I was not blown away but you know what? I did enjoy the play.
OK, digress to the time when i got the tickets and was trying to find someone to go with me. My usual date for such plays was busy with pre-Easter religious commitments (who am i to fight with the Almighty one :P) and was hence unable to attend the play with moi. So i started going through my mind's list of who I should be asking to the play. Whilst i can go alone, and mind you, i am not someone who needs constant companionship, i did want to have someone to ask for his/her input.
Asked one of my theatre pals to go but he was going to the Friday show so he was out. At the same time, i din wanna just ask anyone. Not that i snoot at the 'non-artistic beings'. Nooo... I am less artsy than you can imagine (if you were imagining me to be a literary queen) It's just that I want the person to at least have a shot at enjoying the play too.
You understand my concern through this excerpt of a typical conversation when i try to ask someone to watch this play with me.. me: eh u free sat nite to watch The Tempest with me? potential date: har? waddat? me: ehem... Shakespeare play la.. never hear before meh? The bridge project la. SRT co-commissioned the project blah blah..... potential date: er.... never hear.. but Shakespeare very cheem (translation: deep/difficult to understand) leh. later i go there sleep how? me: so u wanna go or not? and i move on to the next potential date a few more times...
Well, in the end, I asked a girlfriend who's known to appreciate things beyond just popular culture (and i reiterate that i mean no snootiness in this comment).
Fast forward to the play, 10 mins into the play, i caught my date yawning from the corner of my right eye. "Bad news... i thought to myself. It's only 10 mins.. there's another 2 hours to go. How's she gonna last."
But before i knew it, i was too absorbed by whatever was going on onstage to actually worry about my date (sorry babe..)
I remembered Thomas Sadoski's comment about Sam Mendes taking a well balanced approach between literary and visual artistic perspectives in his direction for this play and I tried to find that. To be honest, I did not. The sets were simple and the style of dialogue was kept true to its originator.
But therein lies the beauty of this play. It sucks you in with it's beautifully crafted dialogue, wherein lies the puns and witticism of William Shakespeare. On the flipside, therein lies the pain of being able to appreciate this play. If you go in without the slightest hint of an idea what the play is about, you're in for trouble... or sleepy stupor (like my date haa..).
The thing about The Tempest is that there is just tooooooooo many characters involved. So following the play without prior introduction to the literature is quite a challenge. Also, the play is very heavy on dialogue and not so much of physical representation. Hence, if you are challenged with accents, you may also find it difficult to follow and understand what is going on. Most of the times, the characters were running around a single circular sandy canvas (that's the island).
However, if you've had a pre-empt on the gist of the piece, you will be able to appreciate the simplicity of the set. Honestly, the story is set on the island. How complicated do you want the set to be? If every piece of rock was detailed, it leaves nothing to the imagination.
That is essentially the beauty that theatre can choose to deliver, compared to movies. In a movie, nothing is left to the imagination because it is meant to be a visual stimulant. Theatre on the other hand can choose to be that bridge from text to action. It allows room for your imagination to roam where theatrics chooses to leave it out.
Anyway, back to The Tempest, my suggestion to you, my dear friend, if you are planning on catching it while it runs at Esplanade Theatre, is to do yourself and Sam Mendes a favor. At least get a copy of the program and read it before the play begins.
My fav bits...
when Stepheno enters and stumbles upon a queer 'monster'.
when Trinculo, Stepheno and Caliban got into a drunken song and dance together.
the wedding celebration of Ferdinand and Miranda
My date's fav bits (yes she did have some)...
the dance routine at the wedding of Ferdinand and Miranda
the music
Disappointments...
Lack of theatrics for the storm that brought the characters to the setting.
With the traveling crew, I was honestly hoping for more visually spectacular costumes.
I was expecting the sorcery of Prospero to be played out but sadly, it was almost non-existent.
But well, as said very well byRon Cephas Jones at the press con, everyone has their own theme and interpretation of what The Tempest is. I guess I was expecting a thunderstorm whereas Sam Mendes sought to represent it in tranquility. So tell me what your theme is after you watch it!
The Tempest runs in Singapore's Esplanade Theatre from 2nd to 10th April. Tickets start at $55 and can be purchased at SISTIC.
Stephen Dillane, Thomas Sadoski, Ron Cephas Jones, Juliet Rylance, Christian Camargo
As i sat down to the start of the press conference in Singapore's Swiss Hotel, for The Tempest, a fellow reporter/friend, asked me how i would write about this. He was concerned that our take on the project will trivialize Shakespeare's literally work and not do it justice. i think his feelings resonate with a lot of us laymen out there. i was a literature student and did my fair reads of Shakespeare's more popular work but i certainly dare not proclaim myself to be the arty farty Shakespearean-spouting being.
However, i surprised myself with my answer to him. That you know what? Many ordinary folks like ourselves will probably appreciate a very simple perspective of this press conference and show.
So here, with this in mind, i present to you as SeenByIceQueen, the press conference of The Tempest, the second edition of The Bridge Project presented by The Singapore Repertory Theatre.
Cast members (who attended the Press Con)
Stephen Dillane Role: Jaques/Prospero How else you may know him: Film 44" Chest and in Nine Lives alongside Holly Hunter Anecdote from the presscon: He showed up a little later than the rest of the cast, unkemptly put together in a long sleeved shirt and bermudas, face full of overgrown beard. sat poker faced throughout the press conference without as much as a twitch and barely spoke except in direct reply to questions directed at him. quiet men like these intrigue me and makes me wonder if he might just be media-shy or simply cannot be bothered.
Ron Cephas Jones Role: Charles the Wrestler/Caliban How else you may know him: TV Shows Law and Order and NYPD Blue Anecdote from the presscon: Appearing almost stern initially, Ron warmed up the moment the project was being discussed for it's literally and technical engagements. Suggests a media-cynic who wants to stay true to his craft. This actor is also extremely appreciatetive of his co-workers, lauding all behind-the-scene crew in contributing to the success of this project. I'm sure he's a lot more popular with his colleagues than with the media.
Thomas Sadoski Role: Touchstone/Stephano How else you may know him: TV Shows Ugly Betty and Law and Order (SVU) Anecdote from the presscon: Between him and Christian Camargo, they talked 50% of the time during the press conference. Bubbly due to youth (he's only 34) or wanting to be a media baby, it doesn't matter but he certainly brought much laughter to the otherwise serious press conference.
Christian Camargo Role: Orlando/Ariel How else you may know him: TV Shows Ugly Betty and Law and Order (SVU) Anecdote from the presscon: There with his wife, Juliet Rylance, he was pretty much the life and comedy of the press conference with many a wise-cracks. When asked how it was working with his wife on the same project, he playfully groused, "We're with each other ALL the time... which is really great!" and then handed the baton to Juliet with a cheeky, "Darling, your turn." Aww.. Do I hear hearts melting now?
Juliet Rylance Role: Rosalind/Miranda How else you may know her: More accomplished in theatre than in films, she's been in several other Shakespear plays like The Winter's Tale and Romeo and Juliet Anecdote from the presscon: The only of the female cast that appeared at the press con, this British lass exude an easy natural beauty that shouts Hollywood sweetheart. It's nice to know that there's a serious and dedicated actor in a pretty package like that.
Quotes from the press con and some reasons why you should be catching The Tempest as directed by Sam Mendes:
"Film is a visual art and theatre is a literary art... Sam Mendes is able to sit in the middle..." - Thomas Sadoski
"Sam Mendes directs in a very physical style... he is physically abusive... a psychological terror.. but he's just a nice guy to hang around." - jokes Thomas Sadoski when asked his opinion on Sam Mendes.
"... we had one moment..." - Christian Camargo when quizzed on working with real life wife, Juliet Rylance, on the set of The Tempest
"Travelling with Shakespeare... different archetypes and many different angles." - Juliet Rylance discusses the dynamics of performing the same play in different cities.
Whether or not we appreciate it, we know the literally value and engagement that will come forth with a Shakespearean play. But what else will I look out for in the play if I were you?
magic and sorcery (the fascinating theme of which The Tempest is initiated by, in my humble opinion)
costumes, make up, effects (after all, the crew tours with the actors, don't you want to know what is so special about them?)
the accents (this production is committed to having an equal share of American and British actors, put yourself to the test and see if you are able to identify who's from where)
And that's all folks, I leave you with the trailer and ticketing details. Let me know your thoughts if you catch the play!
it's been quite some time since i updated anything on this blog. it's really not so much a case of nothing happening. rather, there's so much going on with so little time.
i used to scorn at people who say that they're too busy. to me, it was always about how you prioritize. and that still holds true. but now, i can empathize.
anyway, i won't be updating anything interesting in this particular blog entry. it's more as an akan datang.
look out for a few things coming up:
Duck n Dive: I'm taking my son to watch that in November and we're involved in a meet and greet session so will talk about that after.
Victor/Victoria: that is pending if Zebra invites me to their media night.
towards the end of the year, we're also looking at many celebratory parties and events so we'll see what happens then.
I am a first time parent. And I believe as is the case with most first time parents, much of what I put into my parenting manual is either from advice given by well-intending people or by gut feel. Being the stubborn and opinionated person that I am, it is often the latter.
One of my major challenges recently has been getting my four-year old to NOT LIE. I started by trying to reason. And when that failed to work, I resorted to... lying.. I've thus far told him that if he lied, his teeth would all come off.. I don't think he cares much about his teeth though.. since this tactic doesn't seem to be working. o_O'"
Yes, yes.. I know I'm not setting a good example. But honestly, when you are a FT working mum like me, getting things done efficiently is of optimum importance. That, is not to say that what I am doing is right. But honestly, I am at my wits end.
This is why I am utterly grateful to SRT's timely (well, at least in my opinion and to me, that means EVERYTHING) release of a play about THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF. Most of us would know the moral of the story. So to this play, I am going for sure. I'll probably try to buy a storybook on PINOCCHIO as well in the meantime..
Singapore Repertory Theatre’s The Little Company proudly presents
Written by Jean Tay based on the fairy tale by Aesop Directed by Tracie Pang
Little Petey is bored, bored, bored. It is really not much fun to sit on a little rock, on a little hill, watching a little flock of sheep all day long. So little Petey decides to hatch the perfect plan to have some fun and scare the socks off his fellow villagers. But little does poor Petey know that a very tiny lie can lead to a whole lot of trouble...
The Boy Who Cried Wolf is a wonderful new production from The Little Company. Based on the classic fairy tale by Aesop, you will be delighted by how it is brought to life by an exciting script and a professional cast of adult actors.
This play is a heart-warming illustration of why it’s important to tell the truth, and how one lie can make a world of difference. Dramatised by award-winning playwright Jean Tay who is best known for her plays Everything But The Brain (ST Life! Theatre Awards winner for Best Original Script 2006) and Boom.
Directed by Tracie Pang (ST Life! Theatre Award nominee for Best Director in 2007 and 2008) who has directed numerous productions for The Little Company.
This comic twist to a classic tale brings home a familiar lesson in a fun and accessible way. Recommended for 2 – 6 year-olds
* * *
DATES: 30th July to 12th September 2009 – please see SISTIC for performance schedule PRICES: Mon-Fri $18 – Weekends $20 excluding SISTIC fee (Group discounts/Family Packages available) VENUE: DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT TICKETING: SISTIC at 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg/www.srt.com.sg
Zebra Crossing Productions is a young but dynamic company, helmed by Artistic Director, Loretta Chen and Executive Producer Felina Khong, who together, strike the quirky balance that makes for a creative and profitable company.
It is this dynamism that is seeing Jazz sensation Laura Fygi breaking from her comfort zone, that being a Jazz performer, to join the ranks of being an artsy, Theatre/Musical artiste. This sultry-voiced dynamite herself set foot onto our sunny shores on April Fools' Day 2009 to grace the press conference for the musical she is starring in November 2009, Victor/Victoria.
Without delving into the musical and spoiling the fun for all you musical fans out there, I shall share the funny story that led to Laura's (oh do indulge me in addressing her on a first name basis..) sparkling appearance on our little dot of a country called Singapore.
As Loretta mused, the idea to feature Victor/Victoria had brewed years ago but it was not easy casting the lead character cos you need "not just anybody who can sing but a professional Singer who has lived the life of a Singer", in order to portray the character in its essence.
Laura Fygi sprang into her mind and of course, with Felina Khong's strict fingers over the purse strings, Loretta knew there was no way in hell she'd be allowed to even attempt casting Laura in this production.
However, Loretta being Loretta (read: unconventional, out-of-this-world crazy, no-box-needed-to-think-out-of style), she thought, What's the worse that can happen if she just sends Laura an email? At most, she'd delete it. End of story. So the story goes that Laura, at that same point of time was deliberating her performing career, thinking, nobody's ever going to cast me in anything else but a witch.. blah blah blah in a play. Talk about cosmic telepathy! And just when Laura's manager was about to reject the role on her behalf, Laura decided, wait a minute, I want to explore all possibilities, no matter how small it might seem.
The next thing you know, the email exchanges between Laura and Loretta progressed to SMSes (all these still done behind Felina's back) and before you knew it, Laura called Loretta one night while Loretta was stark naked (hehe.. what a twist eh? and before your dirty minds plays it up, she was getting dressed to go out for dinner!) to chat and before long, Loretta had to confess the 'relationship' to Felina before they could take it to the next level.
And that is how yours truly is seated in Victoria Bar @ Hotel Intercontinental, wolfing down cakes and tea while trying not to choke over the hilarious anecdotes of 'How Laura Came To Be'.
And may I just say that I am totally mesmerized by Laura Fygi's combination of sultry voice and comic-timing (yes , the Jazz Queen is funny!). I am sooooo looking forward to the production of Victor/Victoria.
Went to catch this play on Saturday at Drama Centre and was seated at Circle 2's front row. Before watching this Oscar Wilde comedy, directed by Glen Goei and starring an all male cast, I was wondering if I might be revolted by the portrayal of the males in their gender-bending depiction.
Don't get me wrong, I am not gay-phobic but most times, males acting as females in theater tends to overplay the 'feminine factor' and the dramatized depiction gets a little uneasy and unnatural.
I was glad to experience none of the unnatural-'ness' as the gender-bending characters played by Ivan Heng (Lady Bracknell), Chua Enlai (Gwendolyn Fairfax), Hossan Leong (Miss Prism) and Gavin Yap (Cecily Cardew) were a natural balance of masculine-femininity. Much like how a normal girl might be in real life. Of course, I'm not referring to a dainty, 'manja' girlish type but a typical new age female.
The actors did not try too hard to up the girlish-ness of feminine factor and in fact interjected masculine outbursts at certain points for comical effect.
The direction given to this play by Glen Goei, from the beautiful classical pieces serenading the crowd by T'ang Quartet, to the laid-back setting of an otherwise 'snooty' era the play is set in, made the play very 'consumable' to non-theater goers (in my opinion anyways).
Particularly commendable are the portrayals by Brendon Fernandez (as Algernon Moncrief), the cheeky young lad who is never serious about anything and lives life beyond his means, as well as, Gavin Yap's portrayal of a ditsy and pretty 18-year-old Cecily Cardew. Together, their young, romantic antics and comic timing brought many laughs to the audience.
Ivan Heng in 'her' royal-highness, did a grand portrayal of diva-ness and Hossan Leong as usual never fails to entertain with his shrilly, old maid style. However, it failed to impress not because they were not great but simply because I expect them to be this good.
Kudos to T'ang Quartet for being so candid in their segments, being part of the lively act between cast and musician. I can definitely bear a late start to the show simply because their music make time irrelevant.
Another point to note is the beautiful costumes designed for this cast by Frederick Lee. I used to model for his bridal shows but seeing his creations in this play makes me wanna be living in the play just to wear his clothes all over again.
You don't have to be an 'artsy' theater-goer. If you are a comedy-buff, fashionista, music lover or simply wants to be entertained, this play is worth being at. And at the price the tickets are going for, Wild Rice is definitely pegging it to current financial situations.
Rating:
Show details: Date: 25 Mar - 11 Apr 2009 Venue: Drama Centre Theatre @ National Library Building Tickets: www.sistic.com.sg
Brendon Fernandez talks about the play and his character:
Following the hugely successful launch of the "Shakespeare in the Park" series with A Midsummer Night's Dream in May 2007, SRT is delighted to present another comedy that will bring audiences from all walks of life to Fort Canning Park in the biggest local theatre event of the year.
In May 2007, over 20,000 people picnicked while 40 actors transformed the park into a magical theatrical experience. This year's Much Ado About Nothing - set in 1930s Singapore - will be even more spectacular, engaging and twice as much fun.
A major coup for Singapore is that the comedy will be directed by London-based Edward Dick, who has directed A Midsummer Night's Dream for the Sydney Theatre Company, Romeo and Juliet for Shakespeare's Globe, and Twelfth Night at Regent's Park in London.
The cast will be lead by MediaCorp Artiste Adrian Pang, who also starred as Hamlet in SRT's production in 1997. Adrian will be joined on stage by Jason Chan and Wendy Kweh (Life! Theatre Award winner for her role in SRT's A Midsummer Night's Dream) and a cast of local and international actors.
Synopsis Beatrice, independent and forthright, and Benedick, a self-confessed 'woman-hater', pass their time constantly goading and scorning each other. When they are thrown together to defend a friend's and family's honour, their true feelings begin to be revealed.
Date:
From 7th May 2009 (Thursday to Sunday)
Time:
7:30pm (Ticket holders are encouraged to picnic from 6.30pm)
Presenting a project by Toy Factory. Directed by Goh Boon Teck, The Crab Flower Club was inspired by poems from A Dream of the Red Chambers.
In the original text, characters in the novel enjoy gathering in a pavilion garden to consume rivercrabs and compose poems of flowers. In this contemporary theatre piece, Goh Boon Teckborrows the sense of vulnerability and decadency in Cao’s context to create a contradictory spacewhere his original characters communicate and confront.
The newly created set of protagonists are five related women in a respectable household in QingDynasty, all ready to embrace each other’s wholesomeness as well as bringing one another downto ashes. During their preparation of a complex crab feast and creating metaphorical poemsabout Chrysanthemums and Begonia, we are enlightened by their multi-faceted world of morality,conspiracy and philosophy.
The pillar of sound for The Crab Flower Club will be Franz Liszt’s Symphonic Poem Les Preludes.This symphonic poem is a pure display of emotion, and subtle on depiction of messages andmeanings. Liszt felt that the language of music could be cross-pollinated by other arts, such aspoetry and painting. This symphonic poem was composed during the era of this play, the fusionbrings sensitivity of the west into an oriental story. The music will be treated with contemporarysound design.
Video Art will also be incorporated in this production. Working closely with ink painter Hong SekChern, her LIVE painting will be projected to create the multiple changes of visuals on stage. Asthe leading female artist in Singapore, her powerful and sensitive visuals will provideextraordinary dimension to the play.
Performance Information Performance Venue: Drama Centre Dates: 03 - 05 June 2009 (Wed – Fri) No. of shows: 3 shows Duration: Approximately 90 mins - no intermission Show time: 8PM Language: English with Chinese subtitles Ticket Prices: $50, $40, $30, $20 Ticket Agent: SISTIC hotline 63485555 or visit www.sistic.com.sg
Am seriously overloaded with tasks and am falling behind on updating my blog. Quite a few things to look out for coming up.
There's FHM Girl Next Door 2009, Miss Singapore Universe 2009 and Manhunt 2009. Will try to update on those whenever I can. For now, catch the trailer of WTBS coming to you from 7 Feb 2009.
I truly applaud SRT in their 'workaholism'. Just within the first quarter of 2009, they are presenting 3 shows!
And thanks to SRT, it appears that hunk-a-dory Ethan Hawke will be visiting our sunny shores soon!
Singapore Repertory Theatre proudly presents The Bridge Project – The Winter’s Tale
The Bridge Project is a major new trans-Atlantic venture for director Sam Mendes (Academy Award winner for American Beauty), BrooklynAcademy of Music (BAM) and The Old Vic in London, which is run by Kevin Spacey (Academy Award winner for The Usual Suspects and American Beauty).
Sam Mendes will direct The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare in 2009 starring Simon Russell Beale, Sinead Cusack and Rebecca Hall from the UK; and Richard Easton, Josh Hamilton and Ethan Hawke from the US.
Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) is proud to be one of the five co-commissioners of The Bridge Project, which involved investing seed money in the creation of what will arguably be the most prestigious global theatrical event in 2009.
Singapore will be the first – and only Asian stop – on the world-tour in March 2009. SRT will present the Singapore leg in collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
Over the past 15 years, SRT has produced high quality theatre in Singapore with a very international edge, benchmarking itself against the best. A testament to its investment in and commitment to quality is a very loyal and rapidly growing audience-base in Singapore. SRT’s strategy of working with the best stage talent from around the world fuels its mission of created a name for itself, and for Singapore, as a leading arts capital. The end-goal is to build a relationship with international producers who will then help tour original Singaporean plays and musicals.
SRT entered a very successful partnership in 2007’s with the Royal Shakespeare Company by presenting their productions of King Lear and The Seagull, directed by Sir Trevor Nunn and starring Sir Ian McKellen which. Singapore’s involvement in The Bridge Project is a direct result of the success of the RSC project.
“It is a major coup for Singapore to be the first stop (and only Asian destination) on this international tour of what is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This will be the most important theatrical event anywhere in the world in 2009. To have Singapore Repertory Theatre listed as one of the co-commissioners on every poster and newspaper ad around the world is incredible,” says Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director Gaurav Kripalani.
Commented JP Nathan, Director of Programming, The Esplanade Co Ltd: “We are very pleased to be working in collaboration with SRT again. Last year’s collaboration on the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of King Lear gave SRT valuable exposure in managing productions of such a scale. Working together allows Esplanade to help local companies like SRT shoulder the risks of presenting large productions while deepening their expertise in managing such works to place them more firmly as credible and trustworthy players in the international arts market. Just as we did for the Asian leg of the RSC production, Esplanade will also be lending its technical expertise to the project by overseeing the construction of the sets which will be used for the Singapore and New Zealand productions of The Winter’s Tale. Having the sets built in the region will not only make economic sense but will also help train up local expertise in the area. We look forward to more of such collaborations and knowledge sharing in the future.’
Ticket information DATES: 26th to 31st March 2009 Thursday to Tuesday 8pm/ 3pm matinee Sat, Sun and Tuesday PRICES: From $40 to $325 VENUE: Esplanade Theatre TICKETING: SISTIC at 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg WEBSITE: www.srt.com.sg
Another production by SRT that is set to show in March. A little teaser to decide if you wanna go for it.
DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT and 3SAGAS proudly present
Defending the Caveman, the longest running solo play in Broadway history, is now a worldwide, rock-solid tour-de-force.This blockbuster has won the hearts of millions in more than 15 different languages.
Defending the Caveman, a hilariously insightful play about the ways men and women relate, is an international hit with productions in 30 countries including the United States, Canada, South Africa, Iceland, Sweden and Germany.
Comedian Rob Becker wrote Defendingthe Caveman over a three-year period during which he made an informal study of anthropology, prehistory, psychology, sociology and mythology.
This prehistoric look at the battle of the sexes played for two years on Broadway and is full of hilarious scenarios that celebrate the differences between the sexes.
Starring Daniel Jenkins (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Pillowman) Directed by Tracie Pang (The Pillowman, Boom)
What the Press said about Defending the Caveman
“An outrageously funny and surprisingly sweet exploration of the gender gap…" - Chicago Sun Times
“Hysterically Funny! Couples who were seen arguing before the show, stroll out into the night holding hands.” - Variety
“A comic phenomenon!” - The New York Times
With hilarious insights on contemporary feminism, masculine sensitivity and the erogenous zone, Defending the Caveman addresses the common themes in relationships that go straight to the funny bone.
Ticketing Information DATES: 11 – 15 March 2009, Wednesday – Sunday 8pm PRICES: $40 - Group discounts available VENUE: DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT TICKETING: SISTIC at 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg WEBSITE: www.srt.com.sg & www.defendingthecaveman.com
Woohoo, another play by The Little Company I'm looking forward to taking my son to. This will be sometime in March so while waiting, here's a teaser:
Singapore Repertory Theatre’s The Little Company proudly presents
Bear and Chicken Go Camping
A new play about the sun, moon and shooting stars
Written by Katerina Tiapula Directed by Michael Corbidge
SRT’s The Little Company will stage a new production called Bear and Chicken Go Camping in March 2009. Written by Katerina Tiapula, the play is the second part of a highly successful original series that began with When I Grow Up.
Synopsis Best friends Chicken and Bear go on a camping adventure in the Great Outdoors.Throughout the night, they make lots of amazing discoveries about the world such as shooting stars, what happens to the Sun at night and how come crickets can make such loud noises.
Written for children from 2 to 6 years old, Bear and Chicken Go Camping is a delightful and educational tale that stresses the importance of friendship even under difficult circumstances. It features a professional cast of actors who will perform catchy songs and dance routines against a colourful set.
“We have wonderful position in the market as the leading producer of children’s theatre in Singapore. We are proud of this investment in future audiences for the entire industry and are also very focused on creating new original Singaporean works for children with touring potential like the Bear and Chicken series”, says Artistic Director Gaurav Kripalani.
DATES: 5 March to 11 April 2009 – please see SISTIC for performance schedule PRICES: Mon-Fri $22 – Weekends $28 excluding SISTIC fee (Group discounts/Family Packages available) VENUE: DBS Arts Centre – Home of SRT TICKETING:SISTIC at 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg WEBSITE:www.srt.com.sg
Took my son to watch the play by SRT's junior arm - The Little Company. True to it's target audience, at least half the turnout were kids.
The play had a boring conversational beginning with the kids, Ruth and Raoul played by Stephen Whiley & Julie Wee bantering like typical kid siblings would.
The funny and at times witty lines were lost on the younger kids in the audience.
Enters Dr. MacCavity played by Judee Tan, came the gripping lighting and sound effects. The setting together with the very realistically uglifying make up of Dr. MacCavity had my son totally sucked in and within moments he panicked, trembled in fear and wanted to get out of the theatre!
No amount of hugging and soothing could convince him to stay in the act and soon i had to take him out so as not to disrupt the enjoyment of the other audience.
As we were leaving the theatre, he spat out the candy i had given him just moments ago to pacify him because Dr. MacCavity said she would take the rotten teeth of kids who ate candy. My son was COMPLETELY freaked out!
One usher was very kind and came up to me when i was at the foyer soothing my son. She told me I could go back in whenever he was ready to and take a seat further in the back so he would not be at such close proximity to the 'evil' MacCavity.
We finally went back in when MacCavity left the stage and enjoyed the following scenes where Ruth, Raoul and the tooth fairy got acquainted and ensued to leave for Fairyland.
The graceful while animated Fairy, played by Tiffany Wrightson, who obviously is a trained ballerina enchanted the kids. Erstwhile, Ruth and Raoul engaged the audience with interactive sessions where we had to help them with certain tasks by either clapping, shouting or following instructions.
The sequence of hip hop, rap style performance also got many tiny hands and feet clapping and stamping.
Despite having to leave the theatre on several occasions that Dr. MacCavity made her appearace, my son enjoyed the play and even agreed later on that MacCavity was no longer scary (she smiled at the ending cast intro).
As a mom of an overly engaged and sensitive toddler, I also appreciated the initiative of the ushers who were helpful in trying to pacify my frightened son and even pre-empted me about MacCavity's appearance at the audience floor so that I was able to avoid further traumatizing my frightened child.
The best part of this play? My boy is now highly cooperative about keeping his teeth clean so that Dr. MacCavity would not be able to visit him for his rotten tooth :)
At the advertising company Chapman and Howard, the staff have taken great pains to prepare for their traditional Christmas bash, and to ensure that they avoid any scandals similar to last year's which resulted in a visit from the police and the Managing Director's divorce! But when the drinks flow and the good times roll, the party lurches from one disaster to another.
Picture "The Office" meets "Love Actually" and you know you will be in for a rollercoaster ride of laughter, love and tears in this comedy which leads seven diverse characters - Bob the office buaya, Pippa the sarong party secretary, Lee the goodie two-shoes and a host of other crazy characters, through the minefield of office politics, petty differences, sexual harassment and hidden desires. And that's just another day at work!
Directed by Tracie Pang. Starring Wendy Kweh and Cynthia Lee Macquarrie.
Ticketing Details DATES: 27 November – 13 December 2009 TIMING: 8pm (Monday - Saturday), 4pm (Saturdays) PRICES: $58, $48 (Friday – Saturday, 8pm), $50, $40 (Monday – Thursday, 8pm & Saturday, 4pm) VENUE: DBS Arts Centre - Home of SRT TICKETING: SISTIC at 6348 5555 or www.sistic.com.sg
Got a media release about an upcoming play from Zebra Crossing Productions. It's showing only in Feb 2009 so look out for some upcoming sneaks that I'll be putting up as I cover the production leading towards it's performance.
A little bit about the cast:
Left to Right: Gerald Chew | Vernetta Lopez
Left to Right: Elizabeth Tan | Shane Mardjuki
Left to Right: Vadi PVSS | Timothy Nga
Performance starts from 7 - 22 Feb 2009 Drama Centre Theatre, Level 3, National Library
As mentioned in my previous post, i was at the press con of The Tempest on 31 March at The Swiss Hotel, Singapore. Anyway, went to watch The Tempest at Esplanade Theatre on 3rd April.
