Apologies for the lack of updates!

Hello readers! :)

I'm really sorry for the insane lack of updates. I have been somewhat jobless for the past 3 weeks, but I also have never been happier, and busier. Since I left my job, I have been working on myself physically (going back to Bootcamp), artistically (being extra nerdy with Monday Show) and emotionally (I have more time for myself!). This can only mean one thing, a very much happier and relaxed me!

So, in terms of my job, I have been freelancing as a writer for an online radio portal, brainstorming with a friend to take part in his company, and writing articles for someone dear to me. I think I have enough, if not more than enough, to keep me occupied in terms of work.

In terms of artistically, I have been really giving my all to my Monday Show classes. Been watching and researching musicals and singing and dancing. This week, the assignment is Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. Pretty easy right? But try comparing the movie to the staged version, the past to the present, the West End and Broadway. Yes, that's what I've been doing for the past week or so. Of course, Julie Andrews is perfect to me. I've also been in researching into musicals of the Emerald City to look into the soundtracks to find songs that I like and we could possibly working for a recital. I've also been insanely into Newsies. Been looking into the actors, actresses, their past and present jobs, etc. Okay, I may sound insane, but it's really so much fun!

Mary Poppins

Sound of Music

Newsies

Wicked

In terms of physically, well, Bootcamp is Bootcamp. But here's the thing, I do Bootcamps in the evenings of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Yes, just before heading over to Monday Show classes. In the beginning, it was physically difficult, but now, I'm starting to get used to the routine and I feel healthier and definitely fitter. Can't wait to whip myself back into shape! 

So those are my updates for the past three weeks. I know I promised to update way earlier, but this is my life now. It's filled with music, song, dance and nerdy stuff. This is the beginning of my new life. It can only get better from here :) Time to start my new life, with my new family (Monday Show) and of course, my new business partners! 

Thank you to everyone for your support and I will do my best to blog more often! Do expect some posts to be of musicals. When it's my turn to do my assignment for #Musical101, I will be blogging so that my Monday Show colleagues can read it as well. 

I love you guys so much! 

My beloved Monday Show Family! This is only part of them... 

The loved ones... :) 

Here's to a new beginning :) 

Love always,
DancerGal Sheryl!

My first performing arts review as published on StageKL.com :)

First and foremost, thank you to StageKL.com for giving me this opportunity to review a performing arts piece. It is something that I have never done before, nor did I ever think I would get the chance of doing. So happy to see my name there :) Thank you once again and here was my piece :) 

“In a Space of Time” is a contemporary dance piece choreographed by former Cloud Gate Dance Theatre dancer Wong Jyh Shyong featuring 6 dancers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia (2 dancers from each country).

This piece features music from famed musician Ng Chor Guan who is also the winner of several BOH Cameronian Arts Awards.

With a simple set of just, what looks like a giant sun clock in the middle of the stage, all 6 dancers danced around the clock hand in the first part of the show to depict the different relationships of different people with time.

What Wong Jyh Shyong aims to emulate is the 6 different dancers with 6 different understanding or interpretations of time. While some look at time as moving too fast, others deem it as too slow, whilst some of us view time as both slow and fast depending on the circumstances.

Allowing us to focus on the dancers’ bodylines, Jyh Shyong provided the audience with an intricate explanation of how time plays such an important part in our lives and yet, we tend to take it for granted. When time is lost, all that’s left are memories. These memories may be bitter or sweet. Screaming at the lost time does not bring back the time and all that’s left are memories. Sweet. Bitter. Painful. Joyful.

An interpretation of such magnifying proportions would be able to send a strong message to the audience. The costume is simple. Wearing almost everyday clothes, the dancers prance and hop and roll around in what seems to be like clothes that we wear on a daily basis.

What was interesting was a barrage of pebbles coming down as pendulums where the dancers laid themselves over the floor. Giving the illusion of a ticking clock, as the pendulum swings, the dancers narrate verbally what time means to them and how it can reflect and change our society. The lighting of the show was fairly simple as well, spotting each dancer where they need to be spotted.

All in all, it was a relatively simple production with a powerful message. Each dancer brought their own qualities to the table showcasing the talents from all three countries.

Dancers

• Chiu TungTung (Hong Kong), former dancer of Hong Kong Dance Company
• Cliff Huen Tin Yeung (Hong Kong), former dancer of City Contemporary Dance Company
• Huang Yu Teng (Taiwan), former dancer of Taipei Chamber ballet, Kao Hsiung City Ballet, Focus Dance Company
• Tsou Ying-Lin (Taiwan), studied in Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA) Graduate Institute of Dance Performance and Choreography M.F.A Program.
• Kyson Teo Khai Shen (Malaysia), guest dancer of WC Dance Theatre
• Rachel Chew Zi Xin (Malaysia), former dancer of Ballet Jörgen Canada

Pictures courtesy of Gary Ng and Damansara Performing Arts Centre.