I love how our local history is now brought to life through interactive and immersive exhibitions. Coinciding with Singapore's bi-centennial, I was looking forward with much anticipation when I got to read about the upcoming of our very own local production by Musical Theatre Live MTL as it is going to present to us, the first-ever musical of a prominent historical figure of Singapore in the early 20th century; Lim Boon Keng, The Musical.
Prior to the musical, I got Xav to read up a little on Dr Lim Boo Keng so that he could understand the musical better. Who is he actually? Think about Boon Keng Station and Boon Keng Road, this figure had played a prominent part for sure in shaping Singapore's history to have districts named after him.
What did he contribute to the people whom he had served and why did he end up being accused as the spy who collaborated with the Japanese during World War II. It was a great learning session for both of us as we attended the opening night of the musical together with Jenn and her son.
The most suitable candidate to write the script and lyrics for the musical is none other than the great-grand-daughter of Dr Lim Boon Keng, Stella Kon, who was also the renowned playwright behind Emily on Emerald Hill. Drawing on the family's memories and the historical events in the process of crafting the script for this 90 minutes musical with no intermission.
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| Photo credit: The Makeover Inc |
Dr Lim Boon Keng, The Musical, had "Broadway Beng" Sebastian Tan starring as Dr Lim with his flamboyance turned serious stage performance this time, showcased the inspiration, dreams, contributions and love life of the young Dr Lim as well as the rich culture of Peranakans.
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| Photo credit: Musical Theatre Live & AT Marketing & PR Consultancy |
Like the saying goes "Behind every successful man, is a strong woman." but Dr Lim had two! Both his wives championed strong feminism and supported him fully in their own ways. Unfortunately, Dr Lim's marriage with his first wife was shortlived as she passed on early.
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| Left: Sebastian Tan, Right: Audrey Lup (starring as Margaret), Dr Lim's first wife Photo credit: Musical Theatre Live & AT Marketing & PR Consultancy |
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Left: Sebastian Tan, Right: Celine Rosa Tan (starring as Grace), Dr Lim's second wife
Photo credit: Musical Theatre Live & AT Marketing & PR Consultancy |
Grace, who shared the same vision as Dr Lim, was also actively involved in community work. During Sino-Japanese war, Grace had organised donation drives for China Relief Fund, headed by Dr Lim and was detained when Singapore fell to Japanese in 1942 because of this.
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| Photo credit: Musical Theatre Live & AT Marketing & PR Consultancy |
Grace was detained by the Japanese and made to kneel down for hours under the hot sun to pressurize Dr Lim to head the Overseas Chinese Association to help raise funds for the Japanese War effort but he hardly took part in the activities and he was exonerated from the British Authorities after the war ended.
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| Photo credit: Musical Theatre Live & AT Marketing & PR Consultancy |
A successful musical does not need fanciful nor elaborate lightings and props. Lim Boon Keng, The Musical, had minimal props set up, no fanciful lightings nor elaborate props but they had a company of talented cast who had successfully retold and brought the life journey of Dr Lim to life with a normal projection of different scene against the backdrop of the stage and had the choral ensemble sang harmoniously on the upstage for certain scenes. You deserved a thunderous ovation from us!
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| Photo credit: Musical Theatre Live & AT Marketing & PR Consultancy |
We had definitely learnt more about Dr Lim, here is a summary given by Xav about Dr Lim's background and his contribution:
- First Chinese boy to receive a Queen's scholarship to study medicine.
- Founded OCBC Bank.
- Made education reforms and strongly supported the idea that girls should be given a chance to go to school and founded Singapore Chinese Girls' School.
- Led the fight against opium smoking and founded an anti-opium society.
- Was forced to help Japanese raised funds and being labelled as a traitor or spy during Sino-Japanese War.
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| Photo credit: Musical Theatre Live & AT Marketing & PR Consultancy |
This 90-minutes show and will run from 10-13 October 2019, get your tickets from Sistic. Infants and Children below 5 yo are not permitted for the show. Children above 5 years and above would require an entry ticket.
Venue: Victoria Theatre
9 Empress Place
Singapore
Merci Beaucoup to Musical Theatre Live and AT Marketing and PR Consultancy for the invitation to this splendid performance!
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