Synopsis: |
Celebrating 23 years of Singapore Dance Theatre, this is a new production of the popular classic work premiered in St Petersberg in 1892, with choreography by Marius Pepita, music by Peter Tchaikowsky, based on Alexander Dumas’ adaptation of Ernst Hoffman’s story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Artistic Director Janek Schergen freshly choreographed a huge new production, uniquely setting it in Shanghai at the end of the 19th Century. With set and costumes by Aaron Yap and lighting by Suven Chan, the designs deliberately fused Chinese, Asian and European cultures. Synopsis (Prologue) In Shanghai, on the 24th of December, a group of close friends are preparing themselves for a large party to be hosted by the well-respected family, the Nightingales. Act I. (The Party) Mrs Nightingale’s parents and other guests arrive, including Mr Drosselmayer and his entourage, which includes his nephew Kristian and his schoolmates, and a magician. Drossmayer presents Clara, the youngest Nightingale daughter, with a German nutcracker one which he has cast a spell. (The Battle) When the houshold is fast asleep, young Clara seeks the nutcracker; suddenly the house seems overrun by mice, causing great mischief. Drosselmayer returns with Kristian and friends, now soldiers, to protect Clara. A battle ensues and they are finally victorious over the mice. (Land of Snow) Clara is rewarded by a magical journey to meet the Snow King and Queen. Act II. (Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy) Clara’s journey continues into the magical kingdom of sweets, where she meets her sister Marie with Kristian – now the Sugar Plum Fairy and her consort. Clara is entertained with wondrous dances. As night fades, Clara awakes on the sofa with the nutcracker by her side and fresh snow sparkling outside. CAST Mrs Nightingale ............... Madeleine Halbauer Mr Nightingale ............... Timothy Coleman, Chen Wei Mdm. Tang ............... Elynn Chew Mr. Tang ............... Lim Choon How Marie ............... Rosa Park, Heidi Zolker Fritz ............... Lee Wai Hong Clara ............... Sara Chantal Han, Natalie Ng Drosselmeyer ............... Mohamed Noor Sarman Kristian ............... Timothy Coleman, Kenya Nakamura Kristian‘s Friends ............ Shaw Coleman, Etienne Ferrere, Tatsuro Kannan Ryo Suzuki, Kensuke Yorozu Aunt – Mdm. Ching ............. Amy Bale Mei Yan ............. Sae Bosco Mei Yi ............. Sherry Leow Maid ............. Li Jie Butler ............. Timothy Ng Russian Ballerinas – Marie .... Iori Araya Russian Ballerinas – Anna ..... Nonoko Tanaka Russian Ballerinas – Olga ..... Chihiro Uchida Banker – Mr. Lee ..... Robin Lawrence Kent Mdm. Lee ........... Elaine Heng Lee Juan ........... Rachel Ong Lee Yee ........... Renee Teo Lee Mei ........... Natasha Magad Shopkeeper-Mr. Sung Zhao Jun ... Zhao Jun Mdm. Sung ........... Alison Carrol Sung Wei ........... Stine Emilie Tinsfeldt Sung Lian ........... Hana Bermingham Mayor – Mr. Wu ........... Michael Wong Mdm. Wu ........... Tomoko Takahashi, Heidi Zolker Wu Hao ........... Matthew Ng Wu Yu ........... Ashley Lim, Allison Tan Ambassador ........... Etienne Ferrere, Kensuke Yorozu Mlle. Shen ........... Cheah May Yen Theo ........... Jan Werner Amelia ........... Siti Farahnazirah Magician ........... Jazz Ang Mouse King ........... Francis Jaena Jr Little Mice ........... Andrea Cher, Sarah Cher, Kimberley Chia, Amelia Inkster, Samantha Tang Big Mice ............ Rachel Chan, Jaimie Ford, Felicia Lim, Saskia O’Neill, Isadora Ou, Angelica Tan, Vanessa Tan, Joelynne Woo, Soldiers .............. Jill Goh, Natasha Magad, Elaine Ng, Nura Wong Snow Queen .............. Tomoko Takahashi, Rosa Park Snow King .............. Chen Wei Icicles .............. Etienne Ferrère, Nanase Tanaka, Nonoko Tanaka, Kensuke Yorozu, Zhao Jun Snowflakes .............. Iori Araya, Amy Bale, Allison Carroll, Cheah May Yen, Elynn Chew, Madeleine Halbauer, Elaine Heng, Jessica Larbig, Li Jie, Akira Nakahama, Chihiro Uchida, Xu Lei Ting, Heidi Zolker Sugarplum ............... Rosa Park, Heidi Zolker Cavalier ............... Timothy Coleman, Kenya Nakamura Spanish ............... Nanase Tanaka, Zhao Jun Spanish Girls ............... Jill Goh, Regina Henares, Jasmine Hussain, Nicole Khoo, Lee Kai Wei, Vanessa Lim, Lim Wei Qin, Low Jiaxin, Elaine Ng, Sian Yeo Li-Shwen, Nura Wong Shepherd ................ Etienne Ferrère, Robin Lawrence Kent Shepherdess ................ Li Jie, Nonoko Tanaka Chinese Flowers ................ Iori Araya, Elynn Chew, Xu Lei Ting Toy Soldiers ................ Shaw Coleman, Etienne Ferrère, Tatsuro Kannan, Ryo Suzuki, Kensuke Yorozu Dolls ................ Hana Bermingham, Amelia Inkster, Siti Farahnazirah, Angelica Tan, Samantha Tang, Stine Emile Tinsfeldt Teddy Bears ................ Sae Bosco, Rachel Chan, Sherryl Leow, Natasha Magad, Isadora Ou, Joelynne Woo Dewdrop ................ Elaine Heng, Tomoko Takahashi Flowers ................ Iori Araya, Amy Bale, Allison Carroll, Cheah May Cheah May Yen, Lisha Chin, Madeleine Halbauer, Elaine Heng, Jessica Larbig, Li Jia, Akira Nakahama, Mina Niikura, Tomoko Takahashi, Nonoko Tanaka, chihiro Uchida, Xu Lei Ting, Heidi Zolker. PRODUCTION Artistic Director & Choreographer .. Janek Schergen Ballet Master .................. Mohamed Noor Sarman Set & Costume Designer ............. Aaron Yap Lighting Designer ............. Suven Chan Master Painter ............. Ross Turner Set & Props Fabricator ............. PART 1 Design Private Limited Scenic Painting ............. Scenic Studio (Melbourne, Australia) Costumer Fabricator ............. Masquerade Costume & Mascots Chacott Co.Ltd Production Manager ............. Suraya Ab Rasid Technical Manager ............. Tay Huey Meng Stage Manager ............. Chim Sin Yee Assistant Stage Managers ........... Tan Shi Yi, Alycia Finley Sound Operator ........... Ian Koh Wardrobe Supervisor ........... Florence Sim Wardrobe Manager ........... Peen Geok Hoon Wardrobe Assistants ........... Fanny Phua, Adeline Wong, Chua Meng Wah Make-up and Hair Artists ........... Haslina Ismail, Rasyidah Usnabi Stagehands ........... Amelia Ramli, Yukji Emili Koh, Justin Khoo Child Minder ........... Candice Quek |