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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
+ Kent Ridge Hall Production 07/08 +
 When the efficient machine of Singapore’s urban life grinds to an unexpected halt, the faceless strangers on the train come to terms with each their respective problems... and each other! This is a tongue-in-cheek, distinctly local musical that is close to heart and home. It tells the story of three very different lives, and their timely intersection through the sudden breakdown of the train. A spanner may have been thrown into the works, but this disruption is just what they need to untangle the more serious knots in their lives. These three people share their struggles, and realising that sometimes strangers are just unmet friends, they embark on a journey of trust and friendship. The characters in the play come from all walks of life—a cross-section of Singapore society as we know it. The three main characters are a reflection of the sheer variety of people that make up rojak Singapore: the exuberant and talented Francine Tang plays with great gusto the character Molly—a brash, lovable aunty with a colourful getai past and a mysterious, painful secret. Aptly, teaching scholar Kenny Sng reprises the role of Richard, a straight-laced teacher who, despite his best intentions, ends up in really hot soup. Joining the fray is seasoned stage performer Kimberly Ng, who displays her acting chops as Jessica, the driven career woman torn between the two men in her life, and forced to make a tough choice for true happiness. Expect sizzling and dynamic chemistry as very different personalities and opinions come to the fore, and sparks fly over the same issue viewed from very different angles. In a real-life reflection of this multiplicity and variety, I Left my Heart at Outram Park is a collective effort that involves all strata of Kent Ridge Hall residents. Notably, Swiss exchange student Reda Rebib stands out among the cast and ensemble due to his fair, chiseled features and tall build. A first-time actor, he plays the role of Marcus, a charming Casanova who contends for Jessica’s affections. When asked why he would be willing to sacrifice time and energy for intensive rehearsals despite his relatively short stay in Singapore, he said that the musical caught his attention for its highly local unpretentious feel, and that he enjoys the atmosphere and the energy in preparing for such a production. The musical is a purely original production, from the script down to the songs and dance choreography. Being able to create this production from scratch also enabled a breakaway from stock subject matter and even staging styles. The musical comes across as playful and almost irreverent towards the usual conventions, adopting an eclectic mix of styles for maximum impact. Especially since a large part of it takes place in the realms of the characters’ minds, almost anything (and we mean anything) can happen on stage. Expect to be surprised; perplexed, even—but never bored. In the words of director Ian Wong, “This will be THE show stuck on everybody’s lips. You wouldn’t budge it with a sledgehammer. Don’t live to regret not being there with us!” Need we say more? I Left my Heart at Outram Park runs for one night only on 7 March at 1930h at the University Cultural Centre Hall. Tickets are selling fast, so grab one now for $15. We promise a night filled with entertainment so spread the word and share the fun! Visit us at http://www.kentridge.nus.edu.sg/hallproduction/ to see our Facebook event, videos, photos, & more! Contact Jasmine Ng at jasnkt@hotmail.com or 9821 4511 for booking. For further queries, approach Orlanda Goh at orlanda.goh@gmail.com or 9762 9547.  This article should come out in THE RIDGE campus magazine... and its too late to change... but they spelt my name as IAN LOW!! WTFFFF!!! Ian Low isn't even in production! or even in singapore for that matter!! HUMPH! *throws tantrum*
ian wong beats around the bush@
3:28 PM
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