Teacher troubles and student shenanigans: This musical hits all the right notes.
Ever have one of those nights where you leave the theatre humming show tunes and reminiscing about your glorious (or maybe slightly chaotic) secondary school days? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me after catching “Secondary: The Musical” on its opening night while reliving my not-so-distant (okay, maybe a little distant) secondary school days.
This brainchild of writer and composer weish and director Huzir Sulaiman takes us on a whirlwind tour through the halls of Huxley Secondary School. We meet Lilin (played by weish), a young literature teacher with more than just marking essays on her plate. Lilin, like many of us who’ve braved the system, is juggling the expectations of parents, the demands of the curriculum, and of course, the ever-interesting lives of her teenage students – mainly Ming (Tricia Tan), Reynash (Krish Natarajan) and Omar (Shahid Nasheer).
Class in session: Secondary: The Musical review
The Singapore education system can be a whole beast in itself, and “Secondary: The Musical” doesn’t shy away from it. The show cleverly highlights the pressure cooker environment where success seems to be defined by a single letter grade. But here’s the thing – the musical doesn’t bog you down with seriousness, they actually even made mathematics sound fun for once (there’s a musical number about math and life), leaving the entire audience chuckling.
The musical is a delightful blend of humour and heart. There are laugh-out-loud moments that perfectly capture the awkwardness and anxieties of being a teenager. But beneath the comedic surface lies a touching portrayal of the unseen challenges faced by both students and teachers.
When Lilin tries to strike a balance between being friends with her students but also having to prove and impress her head of department, Mandy (Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai), shares that she’s capable of managing her class without them disrespecting her.
We also see the pressure students face to excel academically and how one mark can be a determining factor for a student to retain or proceed to the next grade.The struggles to find their own voice, and the dedication of teachers who go above and beyond for their students, even when the system itself doesn’t always make it easy really stuck out.
A trip down memory lane
The cast absolutely deserves a shoutout as well. I had the chance to witness weish perform as Lilin during their opening night (the role is originally performed by Genevieve Tan). The energy from the cast was infectious, and their portrayal of these relatable characters had me completely invested in their journey. The singing was on point, and the acting captured all the nuances of student and teacher life – the exasperation, the camaraderie, and even the occasional embarrassing moments (because let’s be honest, secondary school was full of those).
By the end of the show, you may end up with more questions than answers but it still deserves recognition for its catchy tunes and stellar cast. “Secondary: The Musical” is a must-watch for anyone who’s ever walked the hallowed halls of a Singaporean secondary school. It’s a hilarious and heartwarming trip down memory lane, reminding us that the journey through those awkward teenage years, with all its ups and downs, is a uniquely Singaporean experience that somehow manages to stay with you long after graduation.
If you’re looking for a night of laughter, nostalgia, and maybe even a shed tear or two (no judgment), grab your tickets and get ready to be transported back to your secondary school days.
Secondary: The Musical, until 28 April 2024, Victoria Theatre, 11 Empress Place, Singapore 179558
