| Written by Felicia Tan & Joyce See,
on Monday, 7 January 2008
|
Published in : Culture, Arts |
2007 was the year for theatre lovers as the world of theatre brought in a number of fabulous plays and productions to our lil’ island. First, there was The Phantom of the Opera coming straight from Broadway (at least the cast did anyway) in the first half of the year, then there was the biggest musical ever that came to our shores, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Also, our very own loved by all (most) comedian, Kumar, finally got her royal treatment in the form of her very own musical – Kumar The Queen. Oh, and how can we forget that Dim Sum Dollies took us by storm, entertaining and amusing us all so much that they will be back for a second shot in making their mark in history this February. Yes, that’s right, it is THIS February. Say, what else is happening this time of the year in the world of theatre? Let us all take a look at the goings-on for the first quarter of 2008.
 Beauty World
First up, there’s the highly anticipated Beauty World. Revisiting the time where Singapore had all the glitz and glam, play witness as W!ld Rice celebrates the 20th anniversary of Michael Chiang and Dick Lee’s Beauty World. This spanking new January 2008 remake stars a couple of big names from the theatre such as Denise Tan, Neo Swee Lin, Daren Tan, Irene Ang and introduces Elena Wang as Ivy Chan Poh Choo! Directed by Ivan Heng, this musical speaks of a girl who seeks her long-lost father. The only clue she has is a jade pendant with the words “Beauty World” on it. There, she works undercover in hopes of finding her father. Watch as the glitz and glam returns to the stages of Singapore, with new songs, fancy costumes and dance routines that, ironically, will remind you of the good old days.
What | Beauty World by W!ld Rice
When | Jan 3-19, 8pm; 2.30pm matinees on Sat and Sun; no shows on Mon
Where | Esplanade Theatre
Tickets | $25-$125 from Sistic
Suhobezvodnoie (The Dry Place)
Now, if you just want to take a
moment of solace and feel what others who aren’t as fortunate as you feel, Suhobezodnoie(The
Dry Place) is the play for
you. The
Dry Place is an autobiographical recount by Olga Pogodina, who based
this play on letters written to her brother from prison. It touches on the
difficult moments in her life and also different generations born in the
ex-USSR. This play is presented as part of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival and
organised by The Necessary Stage.
What | Suhobezvodnoie by The KnAM Theatre (Russia)
When | Jan 16-17, 8pm
Where | Esplanade Theatre Studio
Tickets | $19, $28 from Sistic
 Chesty Nutty Bang Bang: The Hairspray of the Phoenix
Love spoofs? How about parodies? Singapore’s live parody show goes on strong after a triumphant 10th anniversary last year! Think movie spoofs of anything from 881 to High
School Musical 2 to Hairspray. Well, not only movies are getting
spoofed, digs are also thrown towards local theatre productions; I hear Beauty
World’s gonna be a target! TV favourites are not getting away with it as
well; look out for parodies of Heroes, Asian Idol, Deal or No Deal
and many more! Plus, spin-offs of concerts by Gwen Stefani, the Black Eyed
Peas and even imported productions such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (wonder
where they got their title from!) and not to forget tons of drunk driving scandals,
government rap songs and a certain huge parade on a floating platform. Is there
anything they wouldn’t do? They seem set to conquer the word! Stars Jonathan
Lim, Rodney Oliviero and Judy Ngo. Guests include Joakim Gomez (first stage
outing?), Yeo Yann Yann (the real deal from 881!) and Celine Rosa Tan.
What | Chesty Nutty Bang Bang: The Hairspray of the Phoenix by
Stages
When | Jan 23-Feb 3, 8pm; 3pm matinees on Jan 26-27 & Feb 2-3; no 8pm shows on Jan 28 and Sun
Where | Drama Centre Theatre (National Library)
Tickets | $10, $20, $25, $30, $35, $40 from Gatecrash
 Dim Sum Dollies: History of Singapore
Do you or do you not know your history?! With the Dim Sum Dollies back by
popular demand after a highly successful run last year (Dim Sum Dollies:
Most Wanted), boy, you know you got to get yourself some real potent Dim
Sum Dollies this time round! Termed as the “landmark production of Singapore comedy”, the Dollies are back to present their hilarious
version of history. Be prepared to be entertained by pop songs and show tunes
as they bring us through Sang Nila Utama, Samsui Women, Japanese Soldiers,
Convent Girls and more! The Dollies lineup hasn’t changed at all, with Singapore’s most well known stage personalities, Selena Tan, Pam Oei
and Emma Yong taking their spots! What are you waiting for?
What | Dim Sum Dollies:
History of Singapore by Dream Academy
When | Feb 21-28 ,8pm; 3pm matinees on Feb 23-24
Where | Esplanade Theatre
Tickets | $38, $58, $78, $98 from Sistic
 The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
With famed playwright, producer and director Jim Cartwright behind this
play, one wonders if the man can simply do no wrong. His plays are consistently
performed throughout the world and have won numerous awards. With The Rise
and Fall of Little Voice, the man’s added another feather on to his hat;
it’s gotten nothing but rave reviews from critics. Performed by a professional British
cast of stage, television and film talents, the play is about a shy and
reclusive girl named Little Voice who has this talent for recreating voices of
Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey and Marilyn Monroe. Things look set to change when
a talent agent discovers Little Voice’s talent and promises to propel her to
success. The story is a complicated one with a touch of humour and romance.
What | The Rise and
Fall of Little Voice by British
Theatre Playhouse
When | Jan 17-21, 7.30pm
Where | Raffles Hotel Theatre, Jubilee Hall
Tickets | Range from $275 (Cocktails, Dinner, Wine, Play &
Souvenir Programme) to the most standard no-frills ones at $120 and $100 from
Sistic
 Verdi's La Traviata
If you’re a fan of tragedy and
love stories, you might want to catch La Traviata, the tale of Violetta
(the lead character)’s tragic struggle for love and happiness. Set against the
decadent atmosphere of the famous Parisian Exposition Universelle, this brand
new production by British/Australian director Stephen Barlow shows Violetta’s
poignant decline and redemption in this play complete with its universal story
of love, compassion and self-sacrifice coupled with Verdi’s haunting music.
Performed 150 years ago, this opera has become one of the best loved operas and
is now being reproduced and performed worldwide. Sung in Italian with English
and Chinese subtitles.
What | Verdi's La
Traviata by Singapore Lyric Opera
When | Jan 25-29, 8pm; no shows
on Jan 27
Where | Esplanade Theatre
Tickets | $150 (box seat), $130, $110, $88, $68, $38 & $25 from
Sistic
 The Little Red Hen
Touching many young readers for
years, the story about the hardworking little red hen possesses lessons about helping
one another and friendship. Now, it has finally come to life thanks to I
Theatre! Back for the second time, this highly popular production has been
refreshed, re-worked and polished with a bigger cast, new songs, more energy
and colour amongst the many other things! Providing entertainment for the whole
family, this play is suitable for everyone aged three years and above!
What | The Little Red
Hen by I Theatre
When | Mar 3-20, 10.30am, 11.00am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm and 7.30pm.
Where | Alliance Française Theatre
Tickets | Ranges from $19 (adult/child) to $80 (Big Family Package,
5 pax) from Sistic
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