It doesn’t matter if you were a history major or flunked your social studies exam – we’ve all heard about Singapore’s iconic first prime minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. If your memory’s a little fuzzy on the late Mr Lee’s backstory and contributions to the country, refresh with a glamorous retelling of the past with The LKY Musical, showing from 7th September 2022 onwards.
Image credit: Singapore Repertory Theatre
Fans of the local theatre scene will be familiar with the musical – it first hit theatres in 2015, and has since gathered an audience of over 50,000 people. But for the uninitiated, here’s the lowdown on the show – without any spoilers, of course.
Image credit: Singapore Repertory Theatre
As the name suggests, the musical spotlights the main man himself – Lee Kuan Yew. Portrayed by seasoned actor Adrian Pang, Mr Lee goes through the stages of his student life, transitioning to his involvement in Singapore’s independence.
Woven into the storyline are the ongoings of how Singapore came to be, with retellings of significant historical moments including the tragedy during the Japanese Occupation, how the People’s Action Party was formed, and the merging with Malaysia. To further elevate the musical, new music arrangements by local composer Dick Lee have been added to the mix.
Spot the old-school props that are used on set.
For the romantics out there – you’ll also be treated to the epic love story of the Lees, with esteemed singer Kit Chan playing the role of Mrs Kwa Geok Choo, AKA Mrs Lee. Audiences can expect a softer and lesser-known side of Mr Lee, through the heartfelt conversations and euphonious musical duet between the two.
It’s been a good 2 years since we’ve properly enjoyed a live musical. With numerous dance numbers and intricate stage sets coupled with the storytelling of Singapore’s history, The LKY Musical is not to be missed.
Even if you’ve caught the show prior to the pandemic, you’ll still want to check out this revamped version with its new musical arrangements and cast – you can even spot TSL’s very own Fauzi in the ensemble! Tickets go from $49 – but if you’re planning on having an artsy night out with 4 or more pals, consider getting the Watch with Friends package for 15% off.
This post was brought to you by Aiwei and Singapore Repertory Theatre.
Photography by Clement Sim.
Cover image adapted from: Singapore Repertory Theatre
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