This post is going to be a unique one. Instead of the visual arts post, I would like to bring you to the performing arts scene. Last night, I went to Singapore Polytechnic Auditorium to watch Chestnut Drive Secondary School's production, entitled It's My Life. Set in local Singapore context, the musical explores the search of identity for youths, brotherly love and influence through the male protagonist, Ben. The main actors and actresses should be applauded as they could successfully relate to the characters in the play. They had made exceptional connections to the characters. The actors’ character depiction of best friends who shows brotherly concern through loyalty is remarkable. However, in the second act after the intermission, the other actors who played minor roles have unequal performance level compared to the main cast. Hence, they showed the salient disparity of the acting. Unfortunately, the male protagonist seemed to be just remembering his lines at the end of the musical through a monologue. He did not do justice to the lines themselves. In the end, what could have been a forceful conclusion turned out unsatisfyingly flat.
Of all the secondary schools musical that I have watched thus far, Chestnut Drive Secondary School is a school that have more talents that any others. First and foremost, the singers were in sync. Harmoniously, the voices of the singers are in fact better and of a more consistent quality than the acting and narrating in the musical. If I was not informed, I would have thought they are from the choir. Apparently, they are not from the choir, and that amazes me truly.
As for the dancers, even though they did not started too well with their energy level in the beginning of the musical, they picked it up so well gradually till to the point that the musical will not had been as interesting without their presence. I particularly like the part where the dancers were choreographed to enter the stage with their cameras to act as journalists. Another group that deserves to be given the special attention for the effort is the “Stomp” of the school. Without fail, they blew away the audiences not only with their stage presence but also their physical movements that go along effectively with the sound coming out from their musical instruments, which are tubs, bamboo sticks, garbage bins and wooden spoons. Indeed, one of the highlights of the show when the “Stomp” group did two performances unrelated to the musical after the musical.
While the various groups in the musical shines in the musical and visual aesthetics through dance movements and singing done harmoniously all contribute to the musical’s concerns in a subtle but engaging manner, it is unfortunate that the musical had to suffer from inconsistencies that hampered a fuller enjoyment of the musical.
Disappointingly, the technical aspects of the stage for the musical play a major part of the inconsistency, as they were not effectively utilized. The transition and the flow of the play were poor in terms of lightings. There were too many blackouts and spots were not effectively used in the play. Therefore, this make the links between the scenes, disjointed and made the whole musical incoherent, leaving one wondering what exactly happened before and after the scene. The directing plays another part too. The musical has good portrayal of characters but it lacks gesture to emote, to communicate and the intentions towards the development of the musical.
Although the musical is technically unsung and direction less than impressive, It’s My Life was still a unique and fascinating play, by turns humorous, well choreographed and looks challenging. For a first and greenness from the teachers of Chestnut Drive Secondary School, who has not even entered any Singapore Youth Festival for drama, this musical sincerely deserves an ovation.
