Forbidden City: Portrait Of An Empress

Had an enjoyable afternoon with Cecilia coz. we went to watch the musical, Forbidden City @ The Esplanade Theatre. It's simply awesome. Kit's vocal is quite powerful. For those who enjoy musicals, this is highly recommended. Go get your tix. I wouldn't mind watching it a second time (that is if someone gives me a complimentary ticket.)




Saw kin wee, teck keong and the galfriend there as well. What a coincidence. Even President Nathan was there (for the evening show). It was an extra delightful day coz. we treated ourselves chocolate fondue @ Max Brenner after the show. After our sinful dessert, we headed to Por Kee Restaurant @ Tiong Bahru to meet up with the rest to celebrate Lisan's birthday.

Since Nic is not around tonite, we'll be celebrating his birthday during lunch tomm. Yeap .. it's feasting time again. Oh .. coincidentally, Nic & Lisans birthday is on the same day. Actually, Jason's (my ex-boss, friend & mentor) birthday falls on the same day too.

About The Musical

The musical is made up of a stellar Singaporean cast - including local actress and songbird Kit Chan, theatre heavyweights Hossan Leong, Sebastian Tan, Cynthia Lee and Celina Rosa Tan. Music by Dick Lee, lyrics Stephen Clark, costumes by London-based Singaporean designer, Yang Derong and direction by Steven Dexter.

A historical retelling of the story of China's Empress Dowager, the story is seen from the eyes of an American painter, Kate Carl, who is commissioned to paint the Empress' portrait.

The Empress recounts her amazing journey from a young imperial concubine to become the Empress of China and the pressures she faced. The musical explores the myths surrounding her reign, from the controversial death of her only son to her ambitious tussle for power.

Synopsis
Kate Carl, an American artist, is invited to paint the portrait of the Empress of China, Cixi. When she arrives in China, she hears many rumours about the Empress. She also meets George Morrison, an English journalist. He tells her not to be intimidated.





Kate begins the portrait and while she paints, the Empress tells her about her life ...

The Empress, known as Yehenara as a young girl, was a concubine in the Forbidden City. She desperately wanted to be chosen by the Emperor to be his escort.







And she was indeed, chosen. After three months, she became pregnant. She was then taken to the Summer Palace where she gave birth to a son, Tung Chih.







This was the Emperor's first son and very important to the dynasty. However, as was the custom, the baby was taken away from Yehenara to be brought up by the court.

Prince Tun, the Emperor's brother, was devastated by the birth of Tung Chih as he had plans to take the throne by himself.




The Royal Party fled to the Winter Palace after the British attacked and destoyed the Summer Palace. However, whilst still at the Summer Palace, the British attacked and destroyed the Palace. The Royal party fled to Jahol. But the Emperor was much weakened and lay dying. Yehenara knew that if he died without naming Tung Chih was his heir, Prince Tun would claim the throne and her son's life and her own life would be in grave danger. She found her son and rushed to the Emperor's chamber. No one could stop her while she was carrying the Emperor's son. With his last breath the Emperor named Tung Chih as his successor and Yehenara as Regent.




But Tung Chih grew up to be a rebellious young man. He was tempted by Prince Tuan, the son of Prine Tun, to go to the brothels. Indulging in his new-found freedom he became ill with syphilis. Yehenara was helpless to do anything but wipe his feverish brow with her hankerchief as he died. Again Prince Tun saw a chance for power but again was thwarted as Yehenara quickly named her nephew, Kuang Hsu, as the next Emperor.

All this time Kate has been wrting to Morrison about all these events. He is amazed that the Empress is being so open and notes that the stories the Empress has told Kate contradict all the rumours he has heard. The Empress continues her story ...

She tells Kate that Kuang Hsu became an ambitious Emperor, determined to reform China. But this lead to the Boxer rebellion and China was crippled by the internal conflict. Despite everything Yehenara has tried to do, she is surrounded by loss and failure.

Kate meets with Morrison. She is falling in love and Morrison continues to be fascinated by everything she tells him about the Empress. The day arrives when Kate is to show the Empress the completed portrait. But the Empress is furious ...

What has happened? What has become of her story? Where will it end? And is this the end of China itself?

Cast
Kate Carl - Leigh McDonald
Curator - Cynthia Lee MacQuarie
George Morrison - Hal Fowler
Empress Dowager - Sheila Francisco
Grand Eunich - Richard Chia
Yehenara - Kit Chan
Emperor - Oliver Pang
Record Keeper 1 - Hossan Leong
Record Keeper 2 - Sebastian Tan
Prince Tun - George Chan
Prince Tuan - R J Rosales
Tung Chih (4 yrs) - Presslee Chng/ Jovan Lee/ Joel Ng
Tung Chih - Kaylen Chan
Kuang Hsu (9 yrs) - Ng Kit Chong/ Dillion Ong/ Russel Marino Soh
Kuang Hsu (15 yrs) - Luke Kwek
Kuang Hsu - Dawyne Tan
Yehenara Alternate - Celine Rosa Tan