| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Singapore: In the age of PSP, Pokemon and PCs, there’s still one name that captures the imagination of children – Thomas the Tank Engine.
Along with a colourful cast of characters, from trains to circus performers and the all important Fat Controller and Train Driver, the Really Useful Engine is back in Singapore for a new adventure in Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town.
Compared to the last time Thomas and his friends were in Singapore, audiences will be treated to more songs and dances along with more near life-sized characters appearing together with the blue Tank Engine as he puffs and goes "peep-peep" around the stage.
It will be an American cast that will bring to life the story of Thomas, who gets into trouble when a circus pays a surprise visit to his home-town, the island of Sodor.
“Will there be circus animals on stage?” the 'Fat Controller' was asked when channelnewsasia.com met up with him.
As he gave a trademark 'Sir Topham Hatt' chuckle, 'Driver' excitedly revealed “there will farm animals.”
There will also be trapeze artists and all the fun folks that make the circus exciting for kids both young and old.
“This is a great show for kids and adults, a truly great show that all ages can appreciate” said Greg Pearl, the New Yorker who plays the 'Fat Controller', the man in charge of the trains and train line on Sodor.
Also in store, more than 15 songs which most kids who follow the Thomas & Friends TV series will know.
Apart from some new songs, the show will include tunes from the earlier Thomas television series which has run since 1984.
This means mums and dads who grew up with Thomas and his friends will also be able to sing along or at least take a fond trip down memory lane with the Really Useful Engine.
It’s a feeling Brendan Malafronte who plays Thomas’ Driver, knows too well having enjoyed the tales of Thomas and the trains on the Great Western Line as a child.
“My love for Thomas is rekindled” said the actor of his role which he said brings him back that special time in his life which included bed sheets decorated with characters drawn from the books written by Rev. W.Awdry in 1945.
“I feel like a kid again” said Malafronte who admits that his favourite train as a child was James, the red medium-sized engine who considers himself a Very Splendid Engine.
Along with James who will make an appearance on stage in the musical, Thomas’ good friend Percy will chug along on stage, while Harold the helicopter will take to the skies, or at least, to the top of the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“Kids will never forget the fun they have at the show – and their parents will never forget the smiles it brings to their kids' faces” said Mark Avery, CEO, AEGThemeSTAR which produces Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town.
The show is also a treat for adults say the cast who’ve seen not just kids dressed in Thomas outfits but adults as well.
“There was a father and son who wore matching shirts” recounts Malafronte of one of the shows.
“This is so much fun for parents and kids” said Pearl, adding “it’s a chance for parents to have fun with their kids.”
There is no doubt as to who the top draw are in the show.
“The trains!” chorus Pearl and Malafronte when the question of stars pop up.
“The human work so hard to share the stage” but the ‘Fat Controller’ and ‘Driver’ add laughingly that they are all but forgotten when the trains come on.
What both appreciate is that Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town has a strong story that underlines the importance of friendship and cooperation that is told through song and dance.
Don’t expect to sit and tap your feet through the 90-minute extravaganza.
This is an action-packed show with characters playing among the audience who get to be part of the musical by singing along, encouraging the characters and even dancing.
Having toured the past year in the US and Canada, you can expect a show of high production value said the cast.
“If you have a Thomas fan (at home) this is the tops. There is no better experience” said the man behind the 'Fat Controller'.
Thomas and his friends will be chugging at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from Friday 4 December till Sunday 6 December, with very kid-friendly show times with the earliest at 11am on Sunday and the latest show starting at 7pm on Saturday.
Tickets priced between $38 and $68 are available through SISTIC.
|
