Despite the initial negative press, the S$2.72-million Singapura: The Musical will be extending its run at the Capitol Theatre till July 19, Singapura musical director Ed Gatchalian said in a statement. The show was originally set to close in June.
Gatchalian said: "If we were to be brutally honest, the initial reviews were not flattering, but progressively the reviews got more and more encouraging. We take all feedback positively and we never stop trying to improve the show."
-
BOOK IT
-
Singapura: The Musical
Where: Capitol Theatre
When: Till July 19. Tues to Sat at 7.30pm, Sat and Sun at 2.30pm and 7.30pm (except June 7). No show on Mon
Admission: $65 to $175 from www.singapurathemusical.com (excludes booking fee)
He added that the musical team "owe it to those that paid to watch the show to put out the best show possible every single time".
Gatchalian, who conceived the show, also said that discussions with production companies from the United States and Australia were in the works, in the hopes that the musical might tour to other parts of the world.
Singapura, presented by 4th Wall Theatre Company Singapore, follows the city-state's growth from third world to first, with historical incidents such as the Hock Lee Bus Riots set against the stories of ordinary people, including a romantic subplot between a Singaporean girl and a British soldier.
In a review of Singapura, Life! theatre reviewer Corrie Tan wrote: "Some lyrics sounded like they had been lifted from a Social Studies textbook and coerced into a rhyme scheme."
However, some audience members have been more encouraging, praising the musical for its "catchy" tunes and the cast's "strong vocals".
