Had the opportunity to watch this year’s NDP live at Marina Bay Floating Platform. Was really impressed by the Red Lions in parachutes and the first act, dynamic defence display.
Act One: Act 1 begins with a conversation between Son and Grandson. Son speaks to Grandson about the National Day Parade he attended in the 1970s. After Son has described his experience, we see him and Grandson back in the present, at the gallery. Grandson has been playing with his PlayStation. He is fantasising about jet planes and helicopters.
His imagination segues into the Parade and Ceremony aspect of the celebration. Grandson imagines himself as a Commander taking charge of battle scenarios. The next few minutes is a presentation of ‘battles’ taking place on air, sea and land, demonstrating Singapore’s defence hardware. At the end of the sequence, Grandson wakes up from his dream-state. The Parade and Ceremony continues.
As part of Act One of the five-Act integrated musical comprising this year’s NDP, the Parade will feature traditional favourites such as the State Flag Fly-past, the Feu-de-Joie and the Presidential 21-Gun Salute using five artillery 25-pounder guns. For the first time, we get to witnessed two new highlights of NDP during the Parade segment: the Majulah Moment and the Onward March, which encourages collective reflection as we celebrate our independence and nationhood.
Act Two: Act 2 begins with a procession of the different cultural influences on Singapore. Each culture brings to Singapore its own unique culture and identity. The choreographed dance symbolizes the integration of these different cultures in Singapore, representing Singapore’s colourful past and a harbinger of our present multicultural reality. Finally, everyone comes together in this fusion segment, representing how the different races live side by side peacefully in Singapore, an important aspect of the Singapore spirit.
There was a Fabric Dance sequence where large and billowing fabric sets Singapore in the year 1965 – the year of Independence. It is a time of struggle and uncertainty. It is a time of determination for the pioneering generation of Singaporeans. The young women, led by Mother, represent the first generation of Singaporeans who braved through these turbulent times in order to build a home for themselves and their families in Singapore.
The birth of Son represents the birth of Singapore – an important connection as the musical will trace the journey of Son to the present day. A mother’s struggle to give birth mirrors a nation’s struggle for independence. Ultimately birth is a symbol of a new beginning.
Act Three: Ten years have passed and Mother and Son now live in a kampung in Singapore. It’s the 70s. The kampung people are a close-knit community who look out for one another. The good-natured bantering and humour recall a simpler time which many Singaporeans can relate to. Son is especially close to Encik Salleh and his wife Kak Fatimah. They treat him like their own child. There is a bond between the people living in the kampung, an important element of the Singapore spirit.
Son goes to the beach to collect sea-shells for his class project. At the beach, he puts a shell to his ear. The sound of music unveils a chorus of merboys and mergirls singing favourite Singapore songs. It is a vision of beauty and harmony. Son imagines himself to be underwater getting close to the abundant sea creatures surrounding our shores. This sequence is a visual treat combining the use of life-size puppets, colourful costumes of sea creatures and multimedia technology to simulate the undersea. He plays with a ‘dugong’, a sea creature of unusual appearance that used to be common in the Johor Straits. In fact, there is one in Underwater World named Gracie!
Son goes to the beach to collect sea-shells for his class project. At the beach, he puts a shell to his ear. The sound of music unveils a chorus of merboys and mergirls singing favourite Singapore songs. It is a vision of beauty and harmony. Son imagines himself to be underwater getting close to the abundant sea creatures surrounding our shores. This sequence is a visual treat combining the use of life-size puppets, colourful costumes of sea creatures and multimedia technology to simulate the undersea. He plays with a ‘dugong’, a sea creature of unusual appearance that used to be common in the Johor Straits. In fact, there is one in Underwater World named Gracie!
Unfortunately the magical splendour of Son’s fantasy is interrupted by a sudden storm. When the storm begins to brew, Mother gets worried about Son. The villagers, led by Encik Salleh and Kak Fatimah, go in search of the boy. They find the boy and reunite him with Mother.
The episode of the kampung people rallying together to look for Son is an important aspect of this Act. While one often recollects the idyllic aspects of kampung life in the past, it was also a time when communities were tested. The people in the kampung symbolize the spirit of coming together in times of trouble and working together to overcome hurdles.
Although the search was for one young child, the entire village was involved. Act 3 as a whole thus represents unity, racial harmony and the strong sense of community.
Act Four: Act 4 shows the progress of Singapore from the 1970s to the year 2000. This is done through the use of buildings, roads and vehicles through time. Act 4 also presents the growth of Son from childhood to adulthood. This is done through a video projected on the LED screen showcasing the highlights of his life. This Act showcases Singapore’s spirit of innovation that carried us together in our journey from the Third World to the First.
Son grows up before our very eyes from a young child to a young adult doing National Service, graduating from university, and finally to a grown man, having a job and getting married. As he undergoes his rites of passage, Mother is always seen in the background, working hard and striving for better future.
As Son’s birth represents the birth of Singapore, his growth and development represent Singapore’s progress and development as a nation.
There is a Colour Parade sequence, showcasing the modern Singapore as a global hub, with all the vibrancy of a cosmopolitan city. The climax of Act 4 is an explosion of colours with balloons released into the sky, projections on opened umbrellas and giant inflatables at the Bay. The Marina Bay is finally complete and we celebrate the many years of economic progress and innovation that has brought Singapore this far.
Act Five: The first part of Act 5 continues the journey of Son and his child, Grandson. It is the present and Grandson is 11 years old and a member of his school relay team. Initially his team refuses to practise and loses. However, after a pep talk by Son, the team is motivated and wins the final race. Everyone cheers in support of the young team. This Act showcases Singaporeans’ aspirations towards a better future, and how all of us need to come together and work hard for a better tomorrow. This sense of moving onward together, or “Majulah”, forms a critical part of what it means to be Singaporean and what the Singapore spirit represents.
The climax of the Musical begins with a medley of National Day songs and an extended Pyromusical. A perennial crowd favourite, the pyromusical will set hearts thumping while families grab their cameras for their magical photo opportunity.
The Pledge Moment, led by Son and Grandson, symbolises the passing of the Singapore Spirit from one generation to the next.
Pyrotechnics dancing away in sync with familiar NDP medleys ended the show.
. Will take the test this Thursday.
Watch TV, Eat, Play game, Sleep…
