MAKING OF...

We are finally starting to see the pay off for the endless rounds of media calls that we faced earlier in the month. We will probably not see many of the pieces that we were interviewed for as they'll appear in other countries, but the Singapore coverage has definitely reached a new level.

Here is the trailer from the official "Making of..." program that was being filmed throughout rehearsals. I haven't seen the actual show, of course, because it airs while I'm on stage.






This is a photo from the Marina Bay Sands magazine SANDS STYLE, a luxury lifestyle mag. (They're big on the word 'lifestyle' here) The article contains a number of really beautiful photographs taken during rehearsal, and a lengthy interview with John, our director. I'm not certain why the editors thought that this particular shot of John & I was the best pick. 'Action shot' perhaps?




Social media is also doing it's part to promote the show. Photos and videos, most of them illegal, are starting to appear all over the internet. Here's a shot, taken from the audience, during our curtain call one night. I've noticed that our audiences pretty much totally ignore the pointed "No photos or videos" warning at the beginning of the show.



And here's a shot, that has nothing to do with publicity, taken during something called a "Five Minute Party". This is, apparently, a traditional event that happens on short notice in the hair and make up room. The idea is that, during the intermission, you drop in for a minute or two, push a bunch of junk food into your face, dance briefly to the pounding music and then race to where you need to be to start Act II.


This past week went well, though I admit that I was particularly tired by the end of it. Doing five performances of this baby over the course of a weekend is a pretty intense marathon. During the Sunday afternoon show, I was so tired that, while I was waiting for my final entrance of Act I, I was standing in the wings, leaning against the fog tanks, and I closed my eyes for a moment. In that moment, I actually started to fall asleep.....standing up. Me, who can't even fall asleep sitting on a plane. In order to make it through the evening show I had a nap, hoovered a big plate of pasta and downed a double-shot blended latte. It worked.

MEDIA AND MOVING

The cameras may not be flashing any longer and the endless rounds of television crews may not be stalking the hallways every day, but the ripple-effect from our opening is still reverberating through Singapore. Response to the show has been phenomenal and tickets, I hear, are selling like mad.

And our presence on the streets of Singapore has definitely increased!

I had had yet another reminder of the fact that "we're not in Kansas anymore" when I did a radio interview the other day with Gugwana, Andrew and Wen....for a Chinese station! It was mind-boggling (particularly because it was early morning) to try and keep up as our hosts (and Wen) switched effortlessly back and forth between Mandarin and English.

Also, video footage from media is surfacing so I can finally show you clips of our actual cast rather than recycled footage from Broadway or London.

Here's a hybrid clip from a local blogger that was invited to media day. There are other photos and clips on the site too if you want to visit....www.superadrianme.com



And here's a 'behind-the-scenes' piece from AseanTV




And here's a clip of what has to be, still, one of my favourite numbers in the show, "Shadowland". The way Puleng tears her heart open in every performance of this number never stops inspiring me. Perhaps not the greatest videography you've ever seen, but the soul and passion of the number come across even in this medium.




And, at last, I have a home here in Singapore. Yup, no more luxury hotels for us. We have finally moved into our (serviced) apartments though I am still facing another (small) move. There weren't enough one-bedrooms available on our move day so I have been living in a beautifully spacious two-bedroom. The plan is to move me on March 22. It will be my fifth move in three months. Aaargh!
The staff here has been incredibly helpful and friendly and made a big fuss over us on our arrival day. Makes one feel welcome. Once I move into my 'actual' apartment, I'll create a video tour of the place. Given the size of the one-bedrooms, the total running time of the clip should be about thirty seconds.

WHAT A SWELL PARTY...

It has come to pass. We opened. More importantly, we survived the weeks leading up to opening. The rehearsals. The media interviews. The photo calls. The technical issues. The exhaustion. We lived through it all. We climbed the mountain and triumphantly planted the flag.

We actually had more than one opening. The night before opening was 'media night'. You could call it our 'soft opening', but there was nothing soft about it. The crowd was wild, raucous and vocal and we gave them a hot, HOT show. The actual opening night crowd was a bit more typical for an event filled with that many corporate-types, more reserved and not quite as willing to let the hair down. We got them loosened up eventually and it was clear that they loved the show, and the buzz after the show reached epic proportions.

I have never been to an opening night party quite like this one. Because it was a black tie, red carpet, invitation only affair, the company turned itself out in it's very best glam and haberdashery. The music was loud, the energy in the room was atomic and the champagne flowed like water. The media were waiting at the top of the escalators to nab us for post-show interviews so it took me a good 15 minutes just to make my way to the nearest bar, but the cameras didn't stop, not for the whole night. Eventually, I even gave up trying to make it to the food because I couldn't go five feet without being stopped by someone.

I spoke briefly with the television host whom a few of us had spent the day with when we filmed segments of the 'making of..' program. His assessment of the night was that we had blown Singapore away and that we will be running here for a long time.

It turned out to be another one of those nights where I didn't get to bed until 4 a.m. When you're riding on the kind of a high, why would you want it to stop?

Me with Veronique (wardrobe), Sienna (cub-minder) & Tim (Stage Management Office)

Anuar (our dresser) with my friend and dressing-room-mate, Lyall (Zazu)

Lion cubs

Jamie (Timon)

Lou (who does my make-up and wig) and her husband Pollycarpus (ensemble)


Mon ami Veronique qui a travaillé à la production de Paris.


Our elegant stage management team (Minette, Charlie, Kristin & Karen)
with Warren (the littlest Young Simba)


Vero with Jee-L (Mufasa)

After the craziness of opening week, we then had to settle down to the business of doing the show eight times a week. Our opening night was a Thursday so, partied out as we were, we still had five more shows to do before our Monday day off.

On Sunday afternoon, I experienced, firsthand, the kind of mechanical mayhem that puppet technician German-Mike had warned me about very early on. Because the movement systems for Scar's mask are both delicate and complicated, many things can, and do, go wrong. Just before I was about to make my entrance for "Be Prepared", my big number, my mask became possessed by a demon and started sliding up and down my face all on it's own. Puppet techs. were summoned and I was surrounded by people trying to fix the problem in the 2 minutes we had before I had to be on stage. (Not unlike emergency room triage) They ended up turning off the mechanicals and securing the mask to it's support boom with string. I was a bit late for my cue and the poor hyenas, who knew nothing about what was going on, were starting to get a bit worried. I could tell that they had run out of dialogue and were carrying on with their laughter that I usually interrupt, but their was a certain note of desperation beginning to creep into their cackling.

On a completely different note...

Sometimes, the subtle nuances and slang applications of language are lost on people who may not be the native speakers of that language. Give yourself a pat on the back if you get why these signs are funny....

TIPS

Oh,.....day off. Oh glorious, treasured day off....how I love thee. A little time lying by the pool, reading, chatting and swimming. A nap and a bit of a wander through the consumerist mecca that is Orchard Road. It's almost time for bed and I'm feeling as though I might actually be able to face the coming week. Yesterday, if you'd asked me how I felt about facing opening night, I might have curled up into a ball in the bathtub, quivering and sucking my thumb.

For those of you that are planning a visit to Singapore, I thought it might be helpful to give you a 'view from the inside'. Some small things that your guide books may or may not mention.

THE TRUTH ABOUT CHEWING GUM
Officially, it is considered contraband. You may see people chewing, but gum is not widely available, which makes mints and candies wildly popular. Also, because gum is fairly rare here, some Singaporeans might actually consider the act of gum-chewing rude. If you bring it in your luggage, keep the quantities very low. If it looks as though you have enough to re-sell, it will definitely be confiscated. No police officer is going to grab the back of your neck, teacher-style, and force you to spit it out if you are chewing on the street, and it's not as offensive as, say, peeing in a public fountain. Still, if you chew, use discretion.

THE TRUTH ABOUT JAY-WALKING
It's true that it is illegal, (I know people that have been stopped) and for good reason. The major avenues in Singapore are wide and very busy. Often, the busiest streets are lined with barricades which would make jay-walking impossible anyway so you're better off using the cross-walk. On the smaller streets, take your cues from the Singaporeans. If there are no crossings in sight, or if they look too far away to bother with, you're probably safe to make the dash. And remember, they drive on the other side of the road here. When crossing the street, look first in the OPPOSITE direction that you normally would!

POLICE/SECURITY
This is a security-conscious nation and CCTV cameras are everywhere. Even when you might think you're not being watched, you are. The great bonus to this is the fact that the crime rate is extremely low here and you should never worry about walking the streets late at night.

GETTING AROUND
The MRT system is fast, clean, efficient and very easy to use. The attendants at the subway stations are very helpful and will happily guide you through using the pass-card entry/exit system.

Taxis are also a very efficient way to get around if you'd rather stay above ground. They are plentiful and quite inexpensive, but bear a few things in mind...
-There are taxi stands everywhere. Use them. They are usually well marked and often have railed lanes for queuing (they're big on queuing here). And don't jump the que. If you do, the driver may ask you to get out of the taxi and take your place in line. It is possible to hail a taxi on smaller side streets, but it is illegal for drivers to stop on busier streets to pick you up.
-Don't try to figure out all of the various additional charges like 'peak time of day' or 'extra baggage'. You may suddenly find yourself paying double the fare for the same trip you took yesterday, but at a different time of day. Just pay it. The fare will still be quite reasonable and taxis are heavily regulated making the chances of you getting ripped off pretty much non-existent.
-If you are going somewhere other than a major tourist destination or landmark, have some directions or a printed map handy. Singapore is large and complex and the same street can change it's name five times over a short distance. Not all drivers know all corners of the city. If a driver accepts you as a fare and then ends up driving around to find your final destination, they are obligated to turn off the meter or discount your fare.

EATING
You can find virtually any type of cuisine here, but don't expect it to be 'just like home' or "..just like that penne we had in Italy..". It won't be. I'm not saying that it will be bad, it just might be different from what you're expecting.

Be brave enough to try the food stalls and hawker centers. They offer a mind-boggling array of food options that are very cheap and usually of very good quality. Always, ALWAYS carry a package of tissues with you though. Paper serviettes, especially at food centers, are the exception here, not the rule. And if you come across a table at a food centre that has a tissue on it, it isn't someones used snot-rag. It means that someone has claimed the table and gone off to choose their food.

Restaurant service is not what you will be used to from home. Your food will not arrive at the the table all at the same time. Sometimes, all your courses may arrive in very quick succession. Get used to it. Also, I would advise ordering from the menu exactly as it is written. My experience has been that most places do not have systems or policies in place to cope with personalized alterations and everything will end up getting complicated. (I asked for a side of sauerkraut once and got an entire dinner plate piled high with it!)

As for tipping, generally the rule is "don't". Ninety-nine percent of restaurants will add a 10% svc chg to the bill, though there are some European-style eateries that do not do this. Check your bill. If the svc chg is there, it will be clearly marked, usually just below the 7% GST.
(You may tip taxi drivers at your discretion, though generally most people don't. If you do tip them, they are usually quite appreciative.)

MONEY
Banks and ATM's are plentiful, making it easy to draw local currency from your home account. If you're cashing travellers cheques, have your passport with with you for I.D. In fact, you may be asked for your passport frequently. I have been asked for my passport at the branch where I have an account!

SHOPPING
Shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping!!! You can't walk 10 meters in Singapore without running into some kind of retail outlet, so be prepared to have retail accidents.

If you are shopping at street stalls, you will, of course, automatically inspect your merchandise thoroughly before finalizing the purchase. I would advise the same, however, even in major departments stores. I had an issue with a computer bag that took three days to resolve.

When in street markets in Chinatown, Little India or The Arab Quarter, feel free to bargain. You will get a better prices.

And, put away any altruistic ideas you may bring with you about energy conservation or greening the planet. Even shops that keep their entire front wall wide open to the elements will have their air conditioning blowing full blast. And everything, EVERYTHING will get put into a plastic shopping bag unless you are carrying a re-usable with you.

CLIMATE
It is hot here. And humid. And because we are virtually on the equator, the sun's rays come straight down! If you burn easily, or it you're still carrying your winter-white skin, put sunscreen on, even just to walk around. If it rains, it usually won't last long. Stop and have a coffee or a cocktail and wait it out.

Most hotels will provide you with bottled water. Take it with you when you leave the room and drink through the day. Even though you may think the humidity is keeping you moist, you are actually dehydrating.

On the flip-side, Singaporeans loooooove air conditioning, and there's usually only one setting, FULL BLAST. I've seen a book called "The Air Conditioned Nation", and that is an apt description. I've gotten into taxis that were so cold I began to hibernate. Sometimes, the difference between inside and outside temperature is enough to make my glasses fog over when I exit a building. Pack a wrap or a long-sleeved shirt for going out to dinner or a show.

Because of the climate, casual or smart-casual dress is acceptable most everywhere. Men may want to were long pants at some of the more up-scale restaurants but it is extremely rare that they would request a jacket or tie.

SINGLISH
It's true that the various cultures here communicate in English, but don't expect to hear the same words you hear at home. You must be ready for a wide variety of accents and varying levels of proficiency. Also, be prepared for Singlish, the unique slang words that are specifically Singaporean.

Most used is the "La". This is an added syllable, probably from the ethnic Chinese who like adding a sound or syllable for punctuation. It is very common to hear: "Thank you-la", "Ok-la", "You have to pay the tax-la".

Also common is the double-positive "can can". If you see an empty seat in a food court and you ask someone if you may sit, they might respond with a vigorous, "Can can". It can be used in many situations but essentially it means that, not only is the situation acceptable, but it is SO acceptable that it needs a double yes.

CROWD CONTROL
This is a big city with A LOT of people in it. Depending on the time of day, the streets and shops range from fairly busy to Oh-my-god-I-just-need-to-get-the-hell-out-of-here busy. The territorial imperative is smaller here than it is in North America so be prepared for people to stand closer to you in line. Also, when walking the streets, it may look as though people are going to walk right into you but, in fact, they are going to make a tiny adjustment at the last second, squeezing past with mere millimeters to spare. (Feel free, however, to body slam anyone who is walking while texting. The way I see it, if your face is in your phone, you're fair game!)

In theory, you should stand to the left of an escalator, leaving the right side as an express lane.(Remember, ex-British colony. Right-hand drive.) In practice, this rarely happens. In Singapore, as in many other places in the world, escalators seem to posses the power to mysteriously steal people's will to self-ambulate. Also, you must be prepared for people to reach the top of the escalator and decide that it's a good place to have a discussion about which direction to go, heedless of the fact that there are 50 people behind them that have no way of stopping. People will, in fact, stop dead just about anywhere for no discernible reason.

I'm sure that the longer I live here, the more insights I'll be able to share, but for now, I think it's time for one more day-off-glass-of-wine. Or perhaps not. Well,.....hmmm.....oh what the hell...

PREVIEWS AND Q-TIPS

It's been a long, tiring road getting to our first week of preview audiences, but we've made it. A few battle scars, a little weary, but we're almost at the end of our first week of actual audiences. Thankfully, the people that bought tickets to these, our very first public performances, are the people that really, really want to see the show and you can feel their excitement buzzing on the other side of the curtain. The particularly enthusiastic crowds will often break into spontaneous applause four or five times during the opening number ! The cast members that have done the show before tell me that THAT is part of the magic of The Lion King experience, and that it happens so often that one starts to expect it.

Because my body and my brains are functioning on what tiny reserves of energy I have left, this will be a, necessarily brief blog posting. I did, however, want to re-introduce you to Lavina who plays my number-1 Major Domo, the bad-ass hyena, Shenzi.

Here she is singing one of the tunes that helped put her in the top 12 finalists on Australian Idol. The girl can bring it !!!!



Also, I wanted to share the eccentric and extravagant bouquet that Kathi sent me via her hair-dresser, Douglas, who is on a trip to this part of the world.

Kathi had asked if there was anything from Canada that I needed and offered Douglas as her mule. I explained about the necessity of good, old-fashioned Q-tips because of digging make-up out of my ears so they became an integral part of the bouquet!

Two more shows today, press night on Wednesday (9th) and official opening night on Thursday (10th). So close...