Shanghai Blues – A Musical of Love Amidst Chaos

Through song and dance - the age-old languages of love and passion - Shanghai Blues tells a story of love in turbulent times. Bittersweet and tender, its depiction of an inexplicable connection between soulmates conveys an innocence and romance lacking in contemporary society.

Bridging love and yearning

As the curtains are drawn, a solitary bridge is revealed and its story gradually unfolds. This bridge, according to Director Goh Boon Teck, is not only an important prop, it is, more importantly, a key symbol and metaphor. In the musical, Tu Yun and Wen Chong chance upon each other under the bridge as they seek shelter from a wartime air raid. From their short conversation in the dark sparks an immediate connection and mutual attraction that later on grows into a yearning for each other. After the war eight years later, Wen Chong returns to the same spot in the hope of meeting “the girl with soft, plaited hair” under the bridge again. “It is a bridge of emotions and a bridge of history. It bridges love and dreams, the present and the past”, says Boon Teck.

In 1930s Shanghai, a man and a woman are brought together amidst war and chaos. Love blossoms between the two but fate wrenches them apart. Years of wistful longing for each other pass. But when they finally meet, they find themselves unwittingly trapped in a love triangle, with a bubbly young lady as the third person.

Will the man continue to wait for his old love? Or will he embark on a new romance? Will the three pass this test of love, friendship and loyalty?

At once bittersweet and humourous, poignant and uplifting, Shanghai Blues takes you back to the glamourous era of old Shanghai in a delightful musical of mesmerising music, sumptuous costumes and endearing characters.

Written by acclaimed Hong Kong playwright Raymond To, directed by Toy Factory's Chief Artistic Director Goh Boon Teck, and starring popular Hong Kong artist William So, as well as Singapore's very own Mindee Ong (of 881 fame) and Emma Yong (Dim Sum Dollies, Cabaret).

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As my sis is bk in town, both of us went to catch this Saturday afternoon.

I liked it. I loved the music which included old Shanghai music such as Fragrance of White Orchids and all the old music that one can find in old gramaphone records. I like the simplicity of the props which could transform into different scenes.

the orchestra was playing in the middle of the stage, which was kinda different, coz all the action revolved around the orchestra. pretty interesting.

William So and Emma Yong were amazing singers. I'm biased too, coz i like both of them. Honestly, I think they should have casted Emma as the lead instead of Mindee Ong. Mindee's talking voice is naturally low and husky and she brought these qualities into her singing voice which really didn't shine through at all. Most of the time she was flat. She couldn't hit the high notes. There were times her voice broke while delivering the song. Some parts she even went out of pitch. It was really quite painful to listen to her sing. Perhaps she's better at singing Getai songs in 881... but musicals is not her cup of tea.

but overall, it was good. Not blown away. But I think its worth the money.

Just change the lead actress.