The Sights and Sounds of Sonorous Songs

Ning Kang Chia

The RLT team produced a wondrous display of artistic talent in their musical on Saturday in Penang PAC, led by Mr. Sasse.

On the 20th of May 2017, Dalat International School had its annual musical. The venue was jam-packed with people who were eager to hear some harmonious tones. The musical was held on the day right after the Fine Arts Festival performance as well, so expectations were high for the RLT performers. Instead of an overarching story throughout the entire play, the directors of the play opted for a more flexible and dramatic approach. The musical consisted of several scenes, each carrying its own identity, story, and tone to convey.

As the lights dimmed, Caitlin Goh (12) stepped into the limelight and began her sublime delivery of her skit, appropriately titled as “The Art of Procrastination.” She memorized her lines on the back of her mind and added just the right amount of emotion to make the skit entertaining. After a round of thunderous applause, it wasn’t long before singing was heard echoing across the hall.

It was clear who the proud star in the musical was: Aster Hng (12); she led the team of aspiring singers onto the stage. Her voice was like a nimble person on a tightrope, always hitting the highest notes and lowest growls with scary precision, yet managing to never falter under the immense pressure. The audience was greeted with new faces as well, some of which people would not have expected to see.

 As the songs continued to be sung in perfect sync, a pleasant surprise fluttered across the stage. Three dancers, Suzanne (10), Mandy Lim (10), and Amanda Low (10) showcased their mastery of ballet and twisted their body into shapes of beauty. As the musical approached the end, the tone of the entire play took a shift. Aaron Chand (12) and Aster Hng (12) performed a depressing yet sometimes lighthearted play titled “It’s the End of the World, and I Love You.” When Chan was asked what his thoughts were on the musical, he said, “I’m deeply saddened because it is my last drama performance, but at the same time I am grateful for the opportunities.”

 Overall, the musical was a magical package of sights and visuals with the occasional twist. For example, Mathias Maurin (12) was invited on stage by Joel Frohlich (12) for an impromptu performance.

All this time, a talented team of technicians were controlling the spotlights and sound effects to make the experience that much more wonderful. Occasionally, there were some minor hiccups such as the sudden increase in volume in an actor’s mic. Jing Low (12) managed to quickly resolve the issue and keep the flow of the play proceeding smoothly.

The musical was like a slow fizz that erupted into a great explosion, ensnaring the hearts of any that cast their eyes on it. The RLT team lined up and bowed to the audience for a fitting finale, which of course, is followed by the endless thunderous claps from the audience.