While I've generally been a keen supporter of the local musical theatre scene, I'm embarrassed to say that I've never been to the Esplanade Recital studio to watch the smaller Singaporean musicals that are seeing their initial scaled-down runs there. I took the first step for Believe The Musical on its last performance of a 2-day run.

Located in the same building as Singapore's main Esplanade Theatre, the Recital Studio resembles more like an cosier auditorium setting, not unlike what can commonly be found in London's fringe scene. Basic props align the performance area with a small area to the left (or stage right) where the keyboardist, guitarist and drummer sit.

Believe - The Musical comes from the Five Foot Broadway series, a platform that showcases promising new local musicals. Written and composed by Alex Wang (who incidentally also acts in the production), the story follows a juvenile delinquent's journey through life to his ultimate 'redemption' - defined in this musical to be turning over a new leaf and getting promoted to the express stream in school.

The story arose from Wang's experience teaching at Loyang Secondary School. Unfortunately, the plot severely lacks depth. John (played by Muhd Nur Hardi) is the stereotypical Singaporean juvenile delinquent who comes from a single-parent family with a physically abusive mother who swears on a regular basis (including in a few songs). Naturally, he is is part of a gang and is involved in several token street fights. He is assigned to a new parole officer, Teck Ann (Wang), and through Teck Ann's support, he is motivated to study hard for his exams. His best friend from childhood, Gary (Benjamin Liew), lacks characterisation and his biggest contribution to the plot comes when he sacrifices his life during a gang fight to save John. Unfortunately, his death fails to capture the emotion seen in a similar scene in West Side Story. Worse, it draws unintentional laughter from the audience. If this was supposed to mark a pivotal turning point in John's life, it was hardly apparent. In an attempt to layer the story, and perhaps to add the obligatory love duet, Teck Ann and Xena (Caitanya Tan), a constable, fall for each other during the process. Undeveloped and hurried, no new dimension is added to the proceedings.

Most melodies are generally pleasant, although no one will leave the theatre humming any particular song. "Loser", a derogatory, authoritarian song sang by Xena to juvenile delinquents, hardly serves as the best opening number. Others, like "Ah Lian", "John Shut Up" and the rap-number "This Sucks", sit incongruously in the score. The best song in the score is sung at the end by the two lead characters John and Teck Ann. Nonetheless, "Just Believe", has its limitations. For a simple song, the frequent key changes prove to be a little distracting.

The two actors who portray John stand out from the amateur cast. Lee Xin Yi is a bundle of efferverscence as the child version of John. He manages to captivate the audience's attention in a trite "Superman" number - not an easy feat. As the teenage John, Mohd Nur Hardi demonstrates considerable acting verve. His singing is passable, seemingly affected by a cold. However, it is songs like "Someday", requiring a certain degree of emotional intensity where he truly excels. More thought also has to be placed on the songs the characters sing. Coming off singing the bimbotic and silly Ah Lian number, Jules' (Lai Ka Hei) strong female number, "I Don't Want To Live this Life Anymore", is hardly convincing. Wang and Tan possess the more pleasant vocals in the cast but are unfortunately unable to find a number suitable for their vocal ability.

Believe - the Musical is a good effort that attempts to recreate the trials and tribulations that a regular Singaporean juvenile delinquent may go through. Granted, there is still much to improve on. One area would be to reduce the detachment between the audience and the proceedings fleshed out by the characters.

Teenage life appears to be good and timeless fodder for musicals. Just look at Fame The Musical, Grease and - dare I mention it? - Disney's High School Musical. While Believe - The Musical is supposed to have edgier themes then the other musicals, it will have to work much more to muster a stronger bite.

Reviewed on 30 September 2007