Resorts World Sentosa’s latest musical offering, Lightseeker, is a sci-fi/fantasy extravaganza that tells the story of an ominous Emperor and his obsession with a precious energy known as The Light that will make him more powerful. He sends his loyal warrior, the General, to seek out this energy; the General’s quest leads him to Nova, a young girl who seems to have the ability to conjure The Light.
On paper, this multi-million dollar musical has plenty of potential. Conceived by veteran producer Andrea Teo, with songs penned by award-winning songwriter Dick Lee, the musical also boasts a stellar cast of experienced West End performers. Its universal fantasy/sci-fi themes are also interesting and refreshing, as local productions these days tend to focus on uniquely Singaporean concerns.
It must first be said that the visual elements of this big-budget musical are nothing short of spectacular. The costumes are intricate and detailed; for instance, the General’s getup looks like something straight out of a Hollywood sci-fi film. The set and props are also well made and beautifully elaborate, especially in the ethereal Ceremonial Gardens sequence with the Priest. The musical actually relies a fair bit on the stage’s backdrop, a multimedia LED screen, to propel the plot forward; in fact, The Emperor himself is only ever realised as a CGI-generated figure. Thankfully, the graphics on screen are amazingly detailed, making the sci-fi aspects of the film more convincing.
The songs and dialogue, however, sometimes fail to do the show justice. The verbal exchanges between the characters are not as memorable as they should be. The songs are also generally hit-and-miss; some songs, like Nova’s solos, are pleasantly uplifting, while others, like The General’s, do not really impress.
Unfortunately, the supporting cast also outshines the main characters. For instance, despite being a “terrifying warrior,” the General is far too mild and lacks an authoritative stage presence. On the other hand, the lithe background dancers really steal the show with their graceful dance moves and awe-inspiring acrobatic feats.
Overall, while Lightseeker has its shortcomings, it is a valiant attempt at channelling a breath of fresh air into the local theater scene. Its universal themes of bravery and good over evil also make it a family-friendly production that is perfect for theater-goers of all ages.
