Arty Farty

The Visit of the Tai Tai
------------------------
Saw this couple of weeks back. Directed and starred by Ivan Heng (as the Tai Tai), this play is originally written in Swiss and has been staged across the globe. Ivan Heng had adapted and localised it.

The story revolves around this poor kampong/town called Sai Tang (shit hole). The villagers were all excited and preparing for the visit by the multi billionaire Tai Tai - Claire to her hometown. They were hopping Claire would make a generous donation for the town, to relieve it from its poverty. When Claire arrived, she arrived in style, with 2 MIB guards, 2 blind wierdos, a butler and a coffin. For who? We don't know. Apparently, she wanted to fulfil her dream and her wish. Her dream to marry at the Sai Tan chapel, and her wish to get her justice. Apparently, she was falsely accused by her childhood old flame who inpregnanted her before she had to leave Sai Tang in shame. She vowed revenge, and revenge was what she was here for. She laid down her condition for the generous donation. This got her old flame all paraniod. Will the villagers give up the life of a man for the few millions?

It's a rather morbid storyline dont u think? Money for someone's life. It exactly depicts real life issues on how people can be manipulated for money. However, I dont understand what the story is trying to say. I was dumbfounded at the end of the play.

Actings were great. Seriously, the actors that night were fantastic. This changed my opinion of local stage actors. Stage act, set up, props, lightings, sound, all the techni stuff were of top quality too. It's apparent what difference it can make with the amount of sponsorship they received.

Vienna Boys Choir
-----------------
Isn't this the famous Vienna Boys Choir? This, I had got to see.. so I went. It was a one night performance at the Esplanade. People in the same concert halls were mainly retirees, ang moh retirees, high flyers, music students and working class. I haven't seen people dressing up for concerts or theatrical performance in S'pore. So i thot these uncles and aunties must have received some free tix to participate in this 'gala' affair. Maybe the Austrian embassy. Haha. Why would they be interested w a bunch of young boys? And dress up in sequins and suits? Maybe I have been going to performances that appeal more to the younger crowd who tends to dress down (in comparison) for such event.

Anyhow, the choir wasn't as great as I thot. It is good.. they are good, no doubt. Maybe choir isn't really my cuppa tea unless its X'mas carols. :D hehe. Oh, probably also I dont understand what they are singing, or what the conductor is saying in his Austrian-accented English. (It's worst then Arnold.) But their performance on "Chan Mali Chan" was awesome. Wonder if any school choirs here can achieve such standard.

I'm planning to see The Vagina Monologues. Looks good. :) Oh, and I'm going to see "Chestnut: Private (Partly) - House of Flying Chestnuts". This one is going to be hilarious. It's a 2 men local act. Stand up comedies, singing, dancing, acting, spoofing (lotsa). Went to last yr's chestnut event.. it certainly got me wanting to go back again.