Entrance to the Siloso Beach / Photo Credit: Nics Yu
Does the song of the sea end at the shore or in the hearts of those who listen to it?
A year before the "Songs of the Sea" bid farewell I got the chance to see the world's only night extravaganza not knowing it was the show's last running year. One of the must see's show in Sentosa Island particularly in Siloso Beach. A 25 minute open-air spectacular sea show showcasing live display of pyrotechnics, water jets, water screens, projectors, lasers, and bursting flames. What made it so eye-catching was the coordination of computer animation with enthralling music plus the 7-live cast performers.
THE STAGE
Kelong, the beach and the sand shoreline is the stage of the show. / Photo Credit: Tommyang on commons.wikimedia.org
The stage of the show are those stilt houses, the beach and the shoreline. The main backdrop are those wooden houses accross the shoreline that is commonly known as Kelong. A kelong is built mostly by fishermen merely for fishing and behind those 120 metres Kelong where the hidden projectors, lasers, pyrotechnics, 69 water jets that has a reaching point of 40 m, leaping flames to a height of 20 m and and the 3 water screens where the center water screen has a diameter of almost 40 m can be located. Looking at the kelong you can say it's so simple but it's actually a piece of art for me showcasing the great artistry skill of the artist.
CHARACTERS OF THE SHOW
Princess Ami
Ruler of the unknown kingdom that was put into deep sleep unknowingly. Her character was based on Princess Pearl from the show Magical Sentosa (a multimedia nighttime show) and she's Li's mission.
Li / Lee
The lead character of the show wearing a plain white shirt paired with brown shorts who saw Princess Ami while asleep.
Oscar the Tiger Fish
The self -proclaimed creature "who knows everything". He lived under the sea in the unknown kingdom that's ruled by Princess Ami.
Oscar's Friends
They're the unnamed Mischievous Sea Creatures of Oscar. A male seahorse, a male moonfish and a female octopus.
Li's Friends
The 6-live cast performers but unfortunately their names were not revealed.
3 ELEMENTS OF THE SHOW
The Lord of Fire
a very rude and loud ruler of the fire element.
The Spirit of Light
Has an opposite character to the Lord of Fire. She's the kindest and the gentleist ruler of the light element and among the three elements, she's the only one extending a gratitude to Li for bringing back her powers.
The Lady of the Sea
The wise ruler of the water element.
THE MUSIC
The songs played during the show is a part of a bonus section from the DVD "The Songs". It's written by musicians Philippe Villar and Pascal Lengagne in the late year of 2006. They made a comeback to compose a song intended for another Sentosa musical soundtrack which is the original soundtrack of Songs of the Sea.
Full show of Songs of the Sea / Video Credit: TheiPhoneCam
THE PLOT
It's a story of a young man with a gifted voice whose quest is to set the Princess free from a deep sleep spell with the aid of his friends, 3 Lord of Elements and his mischievous sea creature friends. The only way to conquer every obstacles that come his way is to sing his heart out to fulfill his quest and not forgetting to impress and provide pleasure to all the spectators of the show every single night.
INTRODUCTION
Li singing the Singapura, Sunny Island / Photo Credit: Nics Yu
To start off my narration, all lights were off and Li popped out, waved to the audience and begun singing his magical song "Singapura, Sunny Island". Li's friends joined him in singing and dancing to the tune of the magical song. Li's main mission is to rouse Princess Ami from a deep sleep.
FIRST APPEARANCE OF PRINCESS AMI IN DEEP SLEEP
First appearance of Princess Ami in deep sleep. / Photo Credit: Nics Yu
With Li's magical song, Princess Ami's image in deep sleep suddenly appeared over the Kelong. Li and his friends were shocked as they witnessed the stunning Princess.
COMMOTION WITH OSCAR AND HIS FRIENDS
Oscar and his Mischievous friends. Photo Credit: Adrian
Oscar and his friends appeared above the Kelong with a commotion that turned into a hilarious argumentation resulting to singing the "It's Me" song. Oscar told Li how he got his name and his vision of Princess Ami on how she was put to deep sleep. All along it was the enchantment of the Kelong. Li set off to look for Princess Ami, but Oscar kept on talking and gave Li a warning and he said:
"Who knows what strange encounters you may have along the way!"
APPEARANCE OF THE 1ST ELEMENT -- LORD OF FIRE
The Lord of Fire / Photo Credit: Advait Hasabnis
But Li disregarded the warning of Oscar and moved on to his journey. Along the way, he met the first Lord of Elements -- the Lord of Fire who was awaken by the voice of Li so the Lord of fire requested Li to grant him a song to retrieve his powers. Li granted his request and when he begun to sing a splendid fire display came out from the Kelong.
The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.
Ferdinand Foch
APPEARANCE OF THE 2ND ELEMENT -- SPIRIT OF LIGHT
The Spirit of Light / Photo Credit: Advait Hasabnis
Li then decided to go on his journey to the village and as he went along he met the Spirit of Light who lost her brightness and asked Li to sing to bring back her charity. So Li started the hymn and green dancing laser lights appeared above the Kelong and the Spirit of Light was brought back to life. It was only her who extended her gratefulness to Li.
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.
Aristotle
APPEARANCE OF THE 3RD ELEMENT -- LADY OF THE SEA
The Lady of the Sea / Photo Credit: Adrian
When Oscar left, Li was confused and wanted to give up. But his friends encouraged him to keep on singing since he was able to awaken the 2 Lord of Elements. Suddenly the Lady of the Sea appeared and ask Li's assistance to bring back her powers that disappeared during her long-long sleep. But he wanted to save Princess Ami and so the Lady told Li that "there's a time for everything", he must help her first to retrieve her power. She then asked Li to sing with her his magical song. And as Li sang his magical song the Lady vanished and came the majestic colorful water display from the Kelong. Li was still saddened that Princess Ami was still in deep sleep that he can't wake her up. But then Oscar and his friends told Li that the key to awake the princess is to sing his magic song and advised to sing the song with the help of his friends. So the 3 mischievous sea creatures sang the song "You're Not in This on Your Own" and everyone joined including Li.
The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
Jacques Yves Cousteau
THE AWAKEN PRINCESS AMI
Awaken Princess Ami / Photo Credit: Joy of MyTravelicious
After hearing their voices, Princess Ami was now seen above the kelong wide awake and smiling at the crowd. When her image faded away, water blasted to the air swaying in celebration, laser lights strike anywhere and fire burst out while singing the song "he did it".
A SPECTACULAR ENDING OF THE SHOW
Fireworks at the end of the show. / Photo Credit: http: leisureandme.com
Li was congratulated by Oscar for his good deed in awakening Princess Ami's singing power. Oscar then waved to the audience as well as Li and his friends goodbye and an amazing display of fireworks ended the show.
There is only one time when it is essential to awaken. That time is now.
Buddha
Felt so blue after knowing the Songs of the Sea has ended after 7 long years of giving the spectators a spectacular viewing. But as the saying goes...
When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.
Alexander Graham Bell
Couldn't agree more to that proverb, in fact the newly replacement of the show was launched last 17 June 2014 that bears a title "Wings of Time" -- it's a story of a pre-historic-bird, a self-discovery tale together with his friends and finding his way home and true friendship. Be with me as xedsg (owner of the video) shares his experience of watching the newly opened show in Sentosa.
Full show of Wings of Time / Video Credit: xedsg
After watching the Wings of Time video, I can't help myself to make a comparison of the 2 shows. I am much more into the Songs of the Sea than the new show. The format of the intro is a bit similar, started off with greeting the audience and then singing the intro song. For the show effects, they used more on the laser lights, not much on pyrotechnics and bursting of fire and so-so with the water jets. But still, the show is very grandeur.
Wings of Time is something that I can look forward to when I get the chance to visit Singapore soon. I guess I reached the end of my blog. Hopefully I can write a blog for Wings of Time. Enjoy reading!
The world is full of wonder for me to wander.
singlewanderess
Created for: BitLanders
Created by: Dimpsy
