After two years of pandemic restrictions, the homegrown musical returns to the spotlight once again. The LKY Musical is the first large-scale musical to take place in Singapore at the Sands Theatre from September 7, seven years after its inaugural run. This time, singer and actress Kit Chan steps into the role of Madam Kwa Geok Choo, which was previously played by actress Sharon Au during the musical’s premiere in 2015. Theatre veteran Adrian Pang will reprise his role as the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew in the blockbuster production.
Produced by entertainment production house Aiwei and Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT), with music by Dick Lee, the musical spotlights the early days of Lee Kuan Yew – from his student days and his romance with Madam Kwa, to the Japanese Occupation and Singapore’s independence in 1965.
Previews start September 7 at the Sands Theatre in Marina Bay Sands. Ticket prices range from $49 to $159 and are now on sale. There’s currently an early bird promotion: 15 percent off ticket prices till May 31. For more details, visit SRT’s website.
REVIEW
It's always tricky to portray historical figures on stage, especially one as iconic as Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew. The LKY Musical, which has returned to the stage seven years after its inaugural run, does so with heart and confidence as it takes us through the dramatic events leading up to Singapore's independence.
There's a lot of ground to cover here. The musical hurtles through Lee Kuan Yew's days as a student at Raffles College, his romance with wife Kwa Geok Choo, his rise as a lawyer (often representing unions and vulnerable groups) to full-fledged politician, through to Singapore's merger with and separation from Malaysia.
Adrian Pang reprises his role as the former prime minister. Lee Kuan Yew stands as a formidable figure in most Singaporeans' memory, so it can be jarring at times to see him played with Pang's swagger and charisma. Still, the portrayal is refreshing and humanising, giving us an idea of what Lee Kuan Yew may have been like behind closed doors: sometimes plagued with doubts, tender towards his wife, but always fiercely idealistic. Kit Chan plays opposite as Kwa Geok Choo, lending grace and singing chops to her role as the ever-supportive wife, with hints at her personal brilliance (as advisor, scriptwriter, moderating influence, and more, to Lee Kuan Yew).
The show shines a spotlight on the fraught alliance-turned-rivalry between Lee Kuan Yew and Lim Chin Siong. An influential trade union leader and prominent left-wing political activist, Lim Chin Siong's contributions to Singapore's founding often flies under the radar. The LKY Musical does a fine job capturing the tense struggle between these two men – and their ideals – as it navigates the dramatic events leading up to Operation Cold Store. Benjamin Chow (who plays Lim Chin Siong), rightfully received one of the largest rounds of applause during the curtain call.
All this unfolds against a stellar set (by London-based designer takis) with wooden sliding doors that morph the set-up into a dazzling variety of backdrops. Multimedia projections of newspaper clippings, sepia-toned photographs, and radio announcements add to the immersiveness of the play. And what's a musical without music? Dick Lee's compositions are sweeping, energetic and emotional – a vital backbone to this arresting retelling of Singapore's hard-fought struggle for independence.