Yesterday's birthday: Lovely, relaxed.


Today: The Nutcracker ballet.


It was a Singapore production, and quite a good one (not to say that Singapore productions are bad, but we are very young and no great tradition to draw on so one is skeptical, yes?). Went with Siu Qey, which is a delight in itself, but extra-good when there are interesting things to talk about. Like clothes and little kids and people from various nationalities (in front of us was a whole bunch of Japanese kids and their mothers, to our left was a European family). Also, since it was opening night there were some big shots: we saw Dr Tony Tan and the Indian MP from either MOE or MOH. And we met a lot of old classmates (chatted with Susan and Mohana, so nostalgic!).


Anyway, the production was good. There was this extra translucent screen which made a very nice cloudy effects when it was needed. The costuming was also very good, with enough long skirts and fluffy tutus and even the jagged skirts of sprites that I am very fond of. There were also some Asian influences, like the trailing sleeves of the Snow Fairy, and the one-sided water sleeves of the Chinese dance and the mid-riff baring costume of the Arab dance. The Arab dance was done particularly well: it clearly showed its Middle-Eastern roots, with traditional dance moves like the flowly arm sweeps combined with ballet steps. I especially adored the female dancer: stiff but smooth movements, kinda like water down the surface of a vase.


Some annoying things though: a badly animated computer background. (PLEASE. I want to concentrate on the dance!) And too much clacking when the dancers land; Siu Qey says it's because of new shoes. Also, audience should NOT clap during the dance!!! I want to see what's next! (Clapping after, however, is another matter.)


But all in all a good show. I especially loved the Sugarplum Fairy and her consort.


There was more, but it is late and my brain is going. I would like to end off by saying that a women's toilet during the interval of a concert thingie is amusing: queues seem to form out of nowhere.


Also, Esplanade has quite nice theatres and seats. Siu Qey and I wandered up the staircase. The 'thorns' are weird but interesting when viewed from the inside.


Alright. Too late. SLEEP.