Every new year, caught up in the hype of a brand new year ahead, I fall into the trap of making resolutions. Often, a list of about 2-3 resolutions come to mind and by February, perhaps only 1 remains. I can't recall how many resolutions I made for 2011 but one of them involved watching more theatre/arts performances. I even set a number to it. 15 or something but honestly, I cannot remember any more.
Since I am serving my notice period now and have some time on my hands (plus the new job next month promises little sleep and plenty of hours in the office), I have been trying to clock in a few more performances so as to fulfil this resolution.
Last night, V and I attended Julien Cottereau's Imagine-Toi. The mailer came in from Esplanade and when V returned from Korea, I proudly announced to her that I secured tickets for us to catch a "magic show". Turns out I hadn't read the mailer properly, it wasn't a magic show but more of a clown/mime show. It being more mime than clown.
Thinking it was a magic show, we were a little apprehensive that we would be surrounded by a bunch of screaming kids and would end up feeling terribly out of place. We could not be more wrong. There was however one kid sitting 2 seats away from me who was laughing at everything Julien was doing. He had this carefree loud laughter that made me find the opening sequence funnier than it really was.
Beyond that, Julien completely took control, having us in peels of laughter. The parts requiring volunteers from the audience really got everyone going and for the life of me, I can't remember when was the last time I caught a performance which ended with a full standing ovation. Really, in conservative shy Singapore, rarely do you see every single person in the audience get up on their feet and give the performer his due. Julien made everyone reduce their clapping to a finger tapping rhythm instead and with the tapping sounding like rain drops, he broke into a Gene Kelly impersonation of "Singing in the rain" and promptly made his exit.
I really enjoyed the performance and it was the perfect weekend recharge needed before going back to work on Monday.
To Julien, chapeau bas!
