Brel

Not that I am into musicals - I usually find them a bit camp - and I am not really into Jacques Brel neither - I never really enjoyed the way he was performing his songs - but I really enjoyed the Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris show I saw this afternoon. The cast was very professional and the translations into English worked very well (translated / adapted by Mort Schuman for the 1968 off-Broadway musical). For the first time I really got to appreciate the intensity and the depth of Brel lyrics without his annoying performance. Even though he was Belgium he has always been sacred in France and he is one of those Artists you cannot criticise. The 3-Bs as they are referred to: Brel, Brassens, Becaud. You can take my French passport away if you like and I am not sorry but I do not like Brel nor Becaud as performers (even though I can appreciate their writing as this show reminded me).

Legend of the Monkey King - 孙悟空

This is one of the rare Singaporean appearances of the China Beijing Opera Theatre. Four shows from the 21st to the 24th of February at the Victoria Theatre. It was very good for all kind of public and was very entertaining. We were treated with three plays. the first one being from The Legend of Madam White Snake and the second one from A Chinese Ghost Story. After the intermission came this amazing cast performing Eighteen Guardians of Buddha from the Legend of the Monkey King. Somewhere between circus, theatre, dance, acrobatics and mime all wrapped in an incredible performance. The costumes and make-up all added to a night to remember.

Shanghai Blues - The Musical

When I am in Europe I am usually not really attracted by the idea of attending a musical as they tend to be soapy bordering on daggy. Maybe it is the title that reminded me of Wong Kar Wai or is it the curiosity of attending a play in Chinese but I admit I was quite excited to be watching Shanghai Blues -The Musical. The stage set was quite clever and the singing exotic. I enjoyed the experience even though I was not overwhelmed by the script (it was subtitled in English in case you wonder...).

Verdi's La Traviata

I am just back from a fabulous performance of La Traviata at the Esplanade Theatre performed by the Singapore Lyric Opera. It was actually very nice to have an entirely asian cast and the main characters, Violetta played by the charming Nancy Yuen and Alfredo by Lee Jae Wook were of the highest caliber. A lyrical soprano and tenor voice respectively. It was also directed in a very classical way which always works better for this kind production and the acoustic was up to my expectation. A very entertaining evening and a pleasure to see how Singapore continues to surprise me with its cultural level.

Eclipse

The Fringe Festival started this evening. Even though I spent the day in Batam, Indonesia, I made it on time for the asian premiere of Eclipse, a play about a Singaporean going to Pakistan to dispose of the ashes of his father. It was a touching one-man show with the main actor also playing the role of his father and grandfather. It was also directly in line with this year festival's theme: Art and History. A good insight of the romantisation of one's roots and a personal view about the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. Highly recommended.

Good Canary

It was absolutely not planned and I knew nothing at all about the play so it all came as a good surprise when I discovered the blinding décor and clever production. A story about the creative spirit, self destruction and love brilliantly played by touching actors. The acting of the main actress, Cristiana Reali, gives you disturbing feelings all along the first half. This quickly transforms into understanding and pity. John Malkovich definitely is a very clever Director. Respect!