When you think about internationally acclaimed theatre productions, cities
like London, New York and Chicago spring to mind. Thanks to the admirable
sponsorships of large companies and corporations like DBS, Malaysia Airlines,
OOCL Ocean Carrier, the Marina Mandarin hotel and the Singapore Tourism Board,
Singaporeans may now enjoy some of these world-class performances. Here lies a
sneak preview of two upcoming performances brought to you by DBS Theatre
Fantasy.
If you are looking for
a fully revitalising theatre experience, then you do not want to miss the
upcoming performance of FAME - The Musical at Kallang Theatre from 4 July 2002.
This is the tale of a group of students attending New York's High School of
Performing Arts. It follows their four-year progress from auditions to
graduation and goes to show that sheer hard work, determination and motivation
can transcend racial and social inequalities. It is a highly electric, energetic
portrayal of a journey to fame seen through the eyes of these young artistes.
The music, performed live on stage by seven musicians, will have you belting out
the familiar tunes along with the cast; while the precision choreography will
have you dancing in your seats! Having had the opportunity of watching a
performance by some of the cast members; the exuberance and delight with which
the artistes performed created a truly infectious, happy departure from most of
our stressful, harried lives. The dance routines are a synergy of fine technique
and phenomenal stamina perfectly executed by a group of talented performers.
This comes as no surprise as the director of FAME - The Musical is none other
than the famed David Atkins, who in 1995 won the prestigious Laurence Olivier
Award for his London production of 'Hot Shoe Shuffle' and more recently, Mr
Atkins was the artistic director of the official opening and closing ceremonies
of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Mark your calendars, you will have a rocking good
time!
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
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(Tickets for both performances are available through the SISTIC hot line, outlets and website from 18 February 2002.)
Christine Kaelbel
For those of
you who know Shakespeare as some old bard waxing lyrical about some
tragedy, history, comedy or poetry; well have I got news for you!
Shakespeare can be hysterically funny too! That is, if you watch this
non-traditional, comical production of a madcap trio playing over 100
Shakespearean characters in 97 minutes. If you have not heard
Shakespeare in rap or seen scenes of Hamlet performed forwards AND
backwards, here is your chance. It's side-splitting, it's hilarious,
it's laugh-out-loud 'till your tears roll down your cheek' funny! This
is not just for Shakespearean scholars but for all theatre audiences.
Having watched this performance, I think some secondary school students
studying Shakespeare might actually grow to like or even appreciate the
Bard. Catch it at the DBS Arts Centre from 7 May 2002.