Synopsis: |
A new work created with NUS students under the direction of Checkpoint Theatre’s Huzir Sulaiman and the musical direction of Gani Abdul Karim and Joel Tan, with lighting by Mac Chan. City Night Songs began as a concept by Claire Wong, Joint Artistic Director of Checkpoint Theatre. The idea was to assemble a multinational cast and devise a work of stories about the Asian city at night; a concept that rapidly evolved to include songs and movement. It became the third in a series of collaborations between Checkpoint Theatre and NUS Stage for the NUS Arts Festival. City Night Songs was conceived as a multi-disciplinary endeavor with the ensemble of NUS students required to act, sing, move, play instruments, write scenes and compose songs. The cast include two professionals, Gani Abdul Karim and Oon Shu An, who worked across a wide range of performance genres. A week of workshops in December 2011 included intense series of discussions, improvisations and the creating of material, exploring ideas of metropolis, night, and music. Work resumed in mid-January after a break for the NUS university holidays. Improvisations continued and scenes were written based on transcripts of those improvisations and then repeatedly rewritten. Inspiring moments served to generate songs which were then arranged and rehearsed, with distinct but interwoven characters emerging. Further work deepened the characters’ relationships and developed their back-stories. City Night Songs tells the story of seven friends who begin their journey in Singapore’s shisha district of Haji Lane, and cross over into the difficult territories of joy, heartbreak, and acceptance. Old bonds are renewed and new ties are forged; some doors slam shut, while others may open. The story that emerged on the rehearsal floor was one that would find its place with anyone who has faced the night and all its promise, pleasure, and pain. CAST Naveen ......... Nishant Jalgaonkar Daniel ......... Joel Tan Denise ......... Oon Shu An Tony ......... Ivan Surya Tjahyo Aisha ......... Nessa Anwar Shirley ......... Judy Au Farouk ......... Gani Abdul Karim PRODUCTION Director/Dramaturg ......... Huzir Sulaiman Music Directors ......... Gani Abdul Karim, Joel Tan Choreographer ......... Gani Abdul Karim Set/Lighting Designer ......... Mac Chan Sound Designer ......... Shah Tahir Costume Designer ......... Huzir Sulaiman Hair/Make Up Designer Joanna Koh Production Manager ......... Koh Bee Bee Production Coordinator ...... Erik Kristanto Wibowo Asst Production Coordinator ......... Shubhendra Agrawal Stage Manager ....................... Justina Khoo Directing Understudies ......... Chen Yingxuan, Hazel Ho, Chew Wei Shan, Hoon Ding Yi Set/Lighting Understudies ........... Hay Teow Kwang, Loh Soon Hui, Arnold Koroa Marketing Head ...................... Sukriti Sekhri Marketing Associate ................. Wasi Ahmed Mesbahuddin Wardrobe Sponsor ..................... Ong Shunmugam Hairstyling Salon Sponsor ............ CINQ Studio Rehearsal Photography ......... ..... Tan Ngiap Heng |