Gavin Low – POWER OF POP

CATS IS AN ENTERTAINING MUSICAL BUT ULTIMATELY SUPERFICIAL

When it comes to Andrew Lloyd Webbers’ Cats, the only song that came to everyone’s mind is the song Memory. Indeed that is the only hit song from the show. It was this song that spurred me years ago to get hold of a DVD of Cats from a friend. (This was before the days of Youtube.) I remembered being very confused, trying to decipher a storyline out of all the singing and dancing cats. After a while, I gave up on the DVD.

It was then with much trepidation that I attend this Cats, currently showing in MasterCard Theatre in Marina Bay Sands. I was all prepared for an evening of boredom and confusing. After all, I was just there to hear ONE song. It was then a pleasant surprise that, although I was indeed bored at some points, I generally enjoyed myself.

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THE SOUND OF MUSIC

The Sound of Music (Marina Bay Sands)
Review by Gavin Low

I remember learning songs like ‘Do Re Mi’ and ‘Edelweiss’ during music lessons in primary school, and one day, our music teacher told us to catch the film version of The Sound of Music on TV. That was how I was introduced to Maria, played by Dame Julie Andrews, and the Von Trapp family. I remembered it being quite a magical moment when the Von Trapp children burst into songs like ‘The Lonely Goatherd’ and ‘My Favourite Things’.

It was then with trepidation and anticipation that I watched the stage version of The Sound of Music, currently showing at the MBS Mastercard Theatre. I know that the stage version is quite different from the beloved film that we have all grown so fond of. Gladly, I have a great time, and even break into childish excitement when Maria and the Von Trapp children break into my childhood songs.

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GREASE

GREASE started off as a Broadway musical by Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey in 1972. However, the musical is most popularly known for the 1978 hit film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. This production knows that, so four songs written specially for the film, “Grease is the Word”, “Sandy”, “Hopelessly Devoted To You” and “You’re The One That I Want” have been incorporated into this version. On top of that, Sandy is now Australian, which is a nod to the film. (The film changed the character of Sandy to an Australian in order to accommodate Australian pop-star Olivia Newton-John’s accent.) This is, of course, ironic given that this is an Australian cast.

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