Wanted: Nanyang artist wannabe (for a musical)

SINGAPORE — Do you think you have what it takes to be a Nanyang artist? Who can act and sing? In Mandarin? In front of a Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) audience?

If you think you can, why not audition for SIFA 2015’s new commission Nanyang — The Musical. Written and directed by Alec Tok, it’ll feature lyrics by Xiaohan, music by Eric Ng and arrangement by Goh Keng Long. Big names all, okay?

So what’s Nanyang — The Musical about? It’s about four artists who make a life-changing visit to Bali. “It brings to life the temper of Shanghai, Paris, Bali and Singapore (circa 1940); the passions of these artists and the romance of the times by delving into their personalities and characters and those around them, as they lived and breathed their convictions. The production connects the historical significance of the Nanyang artists and their works through a deeply felt human story of love, ideals, sacrifice and loneliness.” Something like that lah.

Well, it sounds roughly like that seminal 1952 trip by Liu Kang, Chen Chong Swee, Chen Wen Hsi and Cheong Soo Pieng — and while we’re at it, I can’t help but think of Yeng Pway Ngon’s novel Art Studio, too.

But those aren’t the characters you’re auditioning for. Instead, you’ve got: Budding artist Chen Kang, 23; disillusioned art teacher Zhang Wen, 38; pretty painter Liying, 27; the intellectual Ren Hao, 24; and “girl in bloom” Yue Ping, 19. Not to mention 12 chorus members.

Looks like Nanyang art’s going to be one of the SG50 hooks for next year — don’t forget you’ve also got Rui En playing Georgette Chen for the National Gallery Singapore-Channel NewsAsia docudrama.

Auditions will take place next month, Dec 19 and 20, 10am to 4pm, at NAFA’s Campus Three Studio Theatre. To register for an audition slot, send a recent headshot and resume to magdalene [at] onekindtheatre.com. Shortlisted candidates will be notified of audition timeslots. The musical opens on Aug 6, 2015.