Suitcases by The Finger Players

This was one of the most abstract plays I've ever watched. Maybe I'm not exposed enough to such plays, but as it is, it was abstract to me.

Stepping into the venue, one is greeted with a structure of scaffolding all over the stage, with intermittent announcements like a radio with poor reception. Of course, this sets the mood, albeit being creepy as it is in the dark surroundings of the Black Box.

(image from http://www.puppetsolo.blogspot.com/)

And "creepy" too as it started with the characters entering the space cloaked in white raincoats and painted white faces, in silent movements, dragging in objects in frames that seem to represent ships and planes. As the actors "pottered" around in slow movements, they sort of looked like they were in a chemical plant or something like that, where the things they held were delicate and transported with care. I couldn't help but be reminded of contemporary dance, though they were not dancing (so you get the idea of abstractness). This I guess, was like the "prelude" to the production.

Well, I couldn't really make head or tail of the content since speech was almost non-existent. As I went to do some research, this was what one would call "physical theatre" I guess, or maybe movement theatre (something I've heard before). So the only thing I could go on was the synopsis to make my own interpretation of the play. Here's the synopsis:

"In order to truly love a land, one must first unearth the beauty beyond its sorrows.
On a strange yet familiar city, a group of travellers is drifting about, ever-so-ready to fulfil their obligations in life. They exist but their physical beings are unable to fill the void within. A howl is heard from afar, sensual and primitive. The travellers slowly embark on a journey in search of the calling.
suitCASES is a multi-disciplinary performance which attempts to unravel the secrets of our land through an experimental and self-reflective approach."

The 70-min production was broken into 5 parts (as how I saw it), with the 1st being the prelude as mentioned above. The "prelude" as I call it prepares you for the way the play is played out, with the raincoat featuring often, and of course, suitcases. The raincoats seem to signify an outward shield, always preparing for "rain" but the rain never came. The characters take it off when alone or when they display their selves when their segment comes. The prelude leads you first to the 1st character's journey, that looked like the desire to find love, comfort and warmth; to fit in. The character is lonely, while everyone else is enjoying themselves (and "bullying"/shunning her). The apt use of balloons probably signifies how uncertain it is for  her, as they burst. Near the end though, she finds some gladness as someone and a child sees her and greets her (although the "child" was actually a balloon with a raincoat...it was a bit ghostly). However, I had the impression that this character seemed to be pregnant (or maybe not), so maybe there are some implications here. She leaves the stage with a balloon bobbing in the air from her suitcase, maybe like a glimmer of hope.

The 2nd character appears, a rather jovial one in fact, who performs tricks to entertain people and maybe gain their trust. However, the people, amused at first are cold when he(or she?) reaches out. A story about beings (in the form of puppets covered with "eyeballs"), earth and sky starts to be narrated, and puppets (and suitcases) from his suitcase emerges, even as he reveals a grotesque face on his belly. The story ends, and a final puppet emerges, bringing him joy, as he hugs it and leaves the stage. So this traveller finds what he was looking for and his void is filled.

The 3rd character seemed like someone working very hard to fit into society with the routine work, play, eating, sleep and following the directives from "up" above. My friends thought that maybe it was a little subversive. There was a segment on the "speaker's corner" which inadvertently causes some "torture" carried out. A half-normal (mannequin-like) and half-boils-filled faced puppet was used as the oppressor. The character leaves the stage with her suitcase, in pain.

The last character seemed to be one who was struck with an illness or odour that caused her to be shunned. Experts try to clean her up but to no avail and they abandon her. She reveals a decaying chest area and tries to make it worse, seeming to kill herself. However, she is halted when the other 3 characters appear, and they discovered they each have an infestation on different parts of their body and they connect, and become more relaxed as they find their commonality. They no longer need their raincoats and settle in. Suddenly, what they've been shielding comes, as it starts to rain (sound only lah) and they enjoy it.

So there, that's the production. I'm still pretty clueless. 

There were some interesting representations, which included the obvious MBS model hung high at the back. Somehow, it made me think that maybe, there's reference to the underbelly of the city.

As mentioned, it was kinda creepy at points, with the use of some puppets in "grotesque" forms and also the use of graphics on the actors shirts that looked like decaying parts. Well, maybe because it was Halloween weekend. Thanks to Keppel Nights, I got the tickets at a discounted rate (50% off).

CSI Interactive Exhibition

I recently saw the advertisement on TV for the "CSI: The Experience Interactive Exhibition" and am really interested to go. It's hosted at the Science Centre and runs frm 16 Oct to 20 Feb 2011.

However, the tickets seem a tad expensive at $22 for adults, which I think is much more than the LOTR and Da Vinci exhbition if I recall correctly. But I think it's because it's interactive and you can get to carry out CSI work! I'm a huge fan of the CSI series, especially the Vegas and NY series.

Wondering if any of my friends are interested in going as it would be more fun to go through the exhibition together. There are four crime scenes including a local story which is loosely based on a Singaporean crime scene to be solved.
Ready to solve crimes together?

not so "important" anymore

I've been quite busy lately, trying to clear as much work as possible before my holiday, my holiday, then now back to work and trying to find time to sort out the souvenirs/goodies and photos, that I've not really had time to blog. Passed over a theatre review on my other blog (which I'd left to my review counterpart to do here) since I was flying off the next day. But as it is, here I am.

Anyway, the point of this post was the settling in of the fact of my current position of "importance" (or lack of it) at work as made the more apparent by my recent trip. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing, but with my new portfolio/job scope after my "transfer" to a different department within the division, I am a tad more carefree now. No longer am I the (only) one handling the system issues or development of this particular web service I was in charge of, since I have "handed" it over to someone else. Am not sure if I've done a proper job in doing so, but since I'm still around, they can ask me. But anyway, it's like a big load off my shoulder in a way coz no one could really cover me last time in my department. And this aspect of my job scope was actually hindering my 'professional' development. I was feeling more and more like a technical rep (although I was just being the user rep for the department). Of course, I settled whatever phase of development as was ongoing under my care, which has now been completed, so I can safely do a clean "cut off" from it now. Anyway, the system has been operational for a while, though I was constantly pushing and following on the enhancements as required. If I had not been transferred, I think some of the digital projects would have been passed to me. *Phew*
But then again, since I can get out now, maybe I was not so important after all.
Well, I'm still in the midst of handing over another project, but that isn't so bad because it's not so technical and just more like handing over management of the project/collection.

In my new job scope, it's a breath of new freedom as I now have people who can actually cover my work. And I don't have staff under me anymore. This could be a bad thing since it means I'm more dispensable now. Also, I'm totally new to this work and it was not my choice to be transferred there, although I have learned much since, and I have more contact with music stuff. A bit stressed in the sense of whether I can deliver and if I fit in. I hope I can do the work well since this is in one way developing me professionally in 1 aspect.

I Love You Philip Morris

I'm not one who go for films with strong gay themes (I think I'm a little homophobic), but since there's Ewan McGregor, one of my favourite actors, in it, I went to watch it. (Just like why I watched Brokeback Mountain because of Heath Ledger). And it's released 1 year late (it was released in the US Dec last year).

It was pretty comical watching Ewan (Philip Morris in the show) act 'coy' and "deh" as Jim Carrey's character (Steve) woos him, and how they go about romancing each other.

Actually, the movie was more about antics of the con-artist, Steve, whose venture into conning, as he claims, started out with his "coming out" in the open about his homosexuality after a major accident that prompted him to 'live his life as he wants it'. But being "gay" was expensive, so he started off with insurance scams. He's actually quite smart, able to "smoke" people and even masquerading as a lawyer, top-notch financial controller, etc. He met Philip Morris the first time he got caught, in prison. Philip had gone to jail for renting a car and never returning it. It's quite amazing how Steve managed to pull off his antics quite convincingly, not to mention escaping from prison many times (though the police always manages to catch him back), even to the extent of faking his own death in prison! How's that! That was the best thing he pulled off. And it's amazing that this is actually a true story! And his reason for doing all these? For love.

I must admit I kind of enjoyed the movie even though it was "gay".

《偶然》

A well-known (and often used) poem of  徐志摩...came across it when doing some work.

我是天空裡的一片雲

偶然投影在你的波心

你不必訝異

更無須歡喜

在轉瞬間消滅了蹤影

你我相逢在黑夜的海上

你有你的 我有我的方向

你記得也好

最好你忘掉

在這交會時互放的光亮

Gala: Lang Lang Live!

I'm in love.
With Lang Lang.

Ha! Ok, not so 夸张 but I was totally enthralled by his playing.

I had the good fortune of getting seats in the 1st row, and not just that, I was sitting directly in front of him! Initially I was afraid that I would be blocked by the piano, but I was seated just nice, at the "cut-off" point. I could watch his expressions and his fingers, and even hear him breathe at times (my friend and I were holding our breaths for the most part though). This was how close I was (photo taken secretly from my seat during the curtain call after the 2nd encore).

He played Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15.
When you watched him play, you are happy, because he is so happy playing the piano, enjoying every moment of it, even singing along to the beats and melody. You know he is also playing the music in his mind.

How does he play his piano? I had the impression he was almost like caressing/serenading the keys, his fingers light and nimble, yet delivering each note clearly and precisely. At points, during the softer moments, he was almost like whispering sweet nothing to the piano. I've not seen someone play with so much love of the piano.
Although most say he's very "showy", but it was an "honesty" show of his passion for playing the piano, less of pride, and when playing the piece, he was like having a conversation with the orchestra. How inspiring. Watching this display, and with his boyish charm, I couldn't help remembering what I read in his biography how he was influenced and inspired by Tom & Jerry, about how he imagined Tom & Jerry running across the keys, and he's like chasing the keys as his fingers fly over them.

I couldn't help but notice his hands too, since I was at close quarters with him. Different from the usual long "bony"/sculptured fingers and hands I've seen, his hands were in fact pretty fleshy. But it also conveyed "flexibility". Maybe that contributed to his nimbleness.

The perfect performance was however, a little tainted by a less than perfect instrument. During an early part of the first movement, one of the Steinway's string snapped when Lang Lang played that particular punctuating note during the piece (how could they let that happen?). Lang Lang even stood up over the piano during one of his "breaks" in the piece to check it out. Nevertheless, the show must go on and he carried on, never missing a beat.

I'm a fan now...need to finish reading his biography (am only halfway through). I'm also inspired to try to play the piano again. :)

Hungry...

I've been feeling very hungry lately...no, it's not some eating disorder, but I've been trying to fill in posts for my new food blog foodsie.two. Just writing about the food and seeing the pics make me crave for the food. Ha! And I'm not even finished with my Sep food stuff yet!

Anyway, it's got me thinking about what places I should go to so that I'll have a constant "flow" of entries of new places. There are so many places to try and it's so tough just to research. Ha!
Anyway, I've actually been keeping a list of food places that maybe I should try, mostly gleaned from this blog I follow called The Travelling Hungryboy. And there are places that I just come across, maybe through magazines, newsletters, ads or even through friends' suggestions. Hopefully I do get round to trying them some time.

The Hossan Leong Show Episode 2

I was initially not so keen on this from last year's experience. But since a friend asked (and some others were also going on the same day), I agreed...and good thing I went as I enjoyed it more than the last run.

With his witty speech, Hossan opened his talk show with just that, ‘talk’, which surprisingly, packed quite a lot of laughs, with his double meaning phrases and references to current affairs. Haha…there was 1 point he forgot his lines but it soon came back.

Not forgetting the immigrant/PR/citizen issues, the segment on Singapore Got Talent was pretty funny, roping in Judee Tan (a China girl who sells curry), Karen Tan (Malaysian SIA girl) and Chua Enlai (Bangladeshi builder), in addition to Hossan’s portrayal of a Filipino (who aspires to be a Maid Mentor). They had to justify why they should be able to be converted to citizens, which was quite funny (although I forgot most of it though). They all imitated the accents very well. The segment closed with a medley of “revised” National Day songs led by who else but (Filipino) Hossan which was well-executed.

The doctors call-in segment was hilarious, especially Judee Tan who plays a TCM doctor called Teochew Muoi (TCM TCM). Chua Enlai was the proud ang moh accent doctor. People with problems would call in (played by Hossan Leong mostly) and they gave their diagnosis and “cures”. Some problems addressed were fear of floods, casino related health problems, etc. Think this was one of the funniest segments.
Then of course, there’s Bibik Lily Lim, created last year in the 1st run. Cooking again, she prepares rojak for the audience to try and gave away a St Regis package. Wow!

And what’s a Hossan Leong show without him playing the piano? It was back to his teens as he tells of how “he wants to be just like Justin Bieber”.

Well, think the less funny segment was the “Taskforce” segment about finding mascots for Singapore.

Although it got a bit drawn out nearer the end, it was an entertaining venture. Freebies? No goodie bags this time round, but there was giving away of the St Regis package, pearlie white hamper and Hubert the hum (don’t exactly know what that’s about).

Unlike Some People

 Venue: Drama Centre Black Box
Run: 22nd Sept – 26th Sept 2010

The show opened with a rather dysfunctional group of “friends” who were essentially taking cruel digs at each other. The atmosphere is tense, menacing and upsetting. One might attribute it to the bitterness of the terminally ill Jo (Grace Soo) but it seems the characters had always been so, probably hating each other.

It took a rather strange (and supernatural) dramatic turn at midpoint, which I at first recognised as angels of death, or so I thought, but not likely because they asked “are we too late”? Maybe angels of comfort since they closed with a comforting picture to Sam? Truth? Somehow though, I had the impression that maybe it’s making reference to some mythical personalities like from Greek mythology. It could have been due to the reference to Roman legends made earlier. They seem to be set to confuse everyone; their appearance stirred up mess, yet catapulting the play into its climax of “reality”, friendships and the like.

It was all very strange to me and not sure if I was missing something, I went in search for more info on the original play, Lady from Dubuque on wikipedia, which didn’t help much. So here I am, trying to make sense of this whole course of events.

Maybe I should look at the structure. Starting each act, the play addresses the identity question “who am I” or “who are you”. And in the end, the identities of the Lady of Dubuque aka Elizabeth (Yin Mei JJ Lenden-Hitchcock) and Oscar (Faizal Abdullah), her companion, were still vague. And she left the stage with the words “I thought you knew”. Maybe in his heart, Sam (Johannes Hadi) knew, but didn’t want to face the truth. Yet, what started as a game in the first act, turned to a loss in the 2nd. No one believed Sam except Carol, Jo didn’t help dispute Elizabeth (who claimed to be her mother) by running into her arms. Chaos. So was it about identity?

Or is the focus on relationships? Relationships between each couple and between friends. Each couple faced with their choices, but who all seem to really love their spouses (or girlfriend). Between friends, all the pent-up grievances, jealousy, selfishness and hypocrisy were unleashed at the end. Years of grinding each other finally took its toil. The truth behind the facade as “revealed” by the 2 strangers (was a spell cast?). Strangely, the only true friend that arose was someone who proclaimed that she was not a friend, and kinder than most (Carol).

But I must say that the Lucinda character (Grace Khoo) really got on my nerves (probably intended since every character didn’t like her), and she seemed the real bimbo as compared to the perceived bimbo of the group, Carol (Elizabeth Loh).

What puzzles me is the show title “Unlike Some People”…with reference to?
~~~~~~~
So maybe in response to the director’s message – “I might not be ready for Albee yet.”

Voyage de la Vie

Having been looking forward to this, I finally caught Voyage de la Vie (Journey of Life) last Friday with my parents.

A theatrical circus spectacular, as what it’s called, the show tells the story of a guy (they call him The Boy) who is led into a magical world of action, magic, love and imagination, guided by the mysterious Lantern Keeper (Victor Kee). There is no dialogue at all, only 3 points where The Boy (Jonathan Leong) sings (start, middle and end). The rest of the show was magic and acrobatics.

Highlights

The contortionist (Alexey Goloborodko):
This boy appeared in the 1st scene as the Game Master, in a container not much bigger than a fruit carton (it looked like one of those portable photo studio that I saw at Popular). Oh my! He was like one without bones, twisting and turning his body and limbs here and there like they were not connected! Like flipping over backwards and putting his head between his legs (which somehow made him look like a spider). You had to see it to believe it. It made me feel a bit squirmish, but he was really good. 

Magician & Pianist (Jarret Parker & Raja Rahman):
The highlight of this scene “The Magician and The Maestro” has got to be the ‘body-sawn-in-half’ segment where Jarret saws Raja in two, who still manages to play the piano, lying on his back.

Hand balancing:
A “rock” part of the show, we saw Melanie Chy (The Diva) do her hand balancing act on a motorcycle. You can just imagine all that muscle in use.

Trapeze (by Aurelia Cats):
This was the part with one of the most beautiful backdrop and fluid movements. It’s when The Boy sings “Perfect Love” (I think that’s the name) and the backdrop has stars and a moon. Also lots of muscle works as she hangs from the trapeze, especially when she hangs upside down, with only her feet holding her to the trapeze.

Aerial rope act (by Liina Aunola):
She came rolling down on a rope. Famous for her rope and cloud swing act, the rope works were pretty head spinning as I felt giddy for her.

Crossbow (Martti Peltonen):
Although the act climaxed at the segment where he was in the middle of a ring of 17 crossbows, each properly timed and calculated to set off the next till it shot the last arrow through the apple on the head of Martti, I liked the 1st part where he shoots his arrow that bounces back, through a veil and into a mask he’s holding. It was so quick and accurate.

Juggler:
Last but not least, we have Viktor Kee, the excellent juggler that is the Lantern Keeper and the master of the voyage. He performed his juggling in a most light-hearted way, using his whole body to juggle, like his chest, feet, etc, and even lying down, on his back and even belly. There was a point that he juggled up to 7 (or 8?) balls. No mistakes at all.
~~~~~~~~
It was an entertaining experience, with pyrotechnics, somersaults and all that graceful acrobatics.